What To Eat With Tteokbokki? 10 Best Side Dishes

Tteokbokki, a spicy, sweet, and chewy Korean street food, has rapidly gained popularity all over the world.

Made from soft rice cakes cooked in a flavorful chili sauce, this dish has become a go-to snack or meal choice for those seeking an adventure in international cuisines.

But what makes the perfect addition to this already flavorful dish?

What are the best side dishes to enjoy with tteokbokki? To elevate your tteokbokki experience, consider pairing it with savory side dishes such as fried dumplings, kimchi, Korean rolled omelet, kimbap, Sigeumchi Namul, or pickled radish. If you prefer a little contrast, you might want to try some lighter options like cucumber salad, japchae, or a refreshing glass of Korean rice punch.

To help you find the perfect culinary match for your tteokbokki, we’ve gathered the 10 best side dishes that perfectly complement this popular Korean delight.

Let’s dive in and see which delicious sides will make your tteokbokki meal even more enjoyable!

Why Consider Serving a Side Dish With Tteokbokki?

Serving a side dish with tteokbokki is not only a common practice in Korean cuisine, but it also enhances the overall dining experience.

Tteokbokki is a spicy and flavorful dish that can leave you feeling quite full and potentially overwhelmed by the strong taste.

Including a side dish can balance the flavors, textures, and nutrition of the meal.

In Korean culture, side dishes are an essential component of the meal, referred to as “banchan.”

Korean meals often include rice and several small plates of banchan to accompany the main dish.

Each banchan has its own distinctive taste and is usually served in small portions, which allows for a well-rounded and diverse meal.

The same concept applies to tteokbokki.

While it is a delicious and satisfying dish on its own, pairing it with a side dish balances the flavors of the meal and elevates the dining experience.

For instance, spicy rice cakes can be served with pickled radish, which helps cut through the heat and adds a refreshing crunch.

Similarly, a fried dumpling can help provide a contrast in texture and flavor to the soft and chewy rice cakes.

Adding a side dish also allows for a more fulfilling and well-balanced meal.

Many side dishes are packed with vital nutrients and fibers, making them an excellent addition to any meal.

Along with being incredibly delicious, banchan and other side dishes also help to create a balanced and healthy meal by providing a variety and complexity of flavors, textures, and ingredients.

What To Eat With Tteokbokki? 10 Best Side Dishes

Tteokbokki is a spicy Korean dish of rice cakes and vegetables, often served with a variety of side dishes.

If you’re looking for the perfect accompaniments to tteokbokki, here are ten delicious side dishes that will make your meal even more flavorful:

1. Pan-Fried Chinese Dumplings

Tteokbokki, a Korean spicy rice cake dish, is best paired with complementary flavors and textures.

Pan-fried Chinese dumplings are a fantastic side dish that offers a delicious blend of savory, crispy, and chewy elements, creating a perfect balance of tastes and textures on your palate.

These dumplings are filled with minced meat, vegetables, and seasonings, and are pan-fried until golden brown, offering a crispy exterior and a succulent, savory filling.

They also provide a fantastic contrast to the spicy and rich flavors of tteokbokki, making this a perfect go-to side dish to satisfy any palate.

2. Kimchi

Kimchi, a flavorful Korean side dish, is a traditional staple that pairs remarkably well with tteokbokki.

It is a fermented vegetable dish featuring Napa cabbage, red pepper flakes, garlic, and other flavorful seasonings.

It delivers a robust, spicy, and tangy kick that beautifully complements the rich umami flavor of tteokbokki.

Kimchi is not only tasty, but it also has multiple health benefits, including improving digestion and boosting the immune system.

You can enjoy kimchi as a side dish or mix it with tteokbokki for an eye-opening and flavorful meal.

3. Gyeran Mari Korean Rolled Omelette

A fantastic side dish to enjoy with tteokbokki is the Korean rolled omelet, or Gyeran Mari. It is made of eggs, vegetables and sometimes includes cheese or ham.

The Gyeran Mari has a mild flavor that delicately complements the spicy tteokbokki. It can also add some texture and visual appeal to the meal, as it’s often served rolled and sliced into bite-sized pieces.

To prepare this side dish, beat eggs with chopped vegetables, seasonings like salt, pepper, and sugar.

Spread them in a large pan and cook them until they are firm enough to roll.

The result is a delicious, nutritious, and visually appealing side dish to serve alongside your tteokbokki.

4. Kimbap (or Gimbap)

Kimbap, also known as Gimbap, is a Korean dish that is similar to sushi rolls.

It is made by combining steamed rice, vegetables, and egg strips, which are then rolled in seaweed sheets.

Kimbap is a common side dish served with Tteokbokki, as it offers a refreshing taste that complements the spiciness of Tteokbokki.

Kimbap is also a great snack or lunch option, offering a nutritious source of carbohydrates, proteins, and fiber.

5. Sigeumchi Namul (Korean Spinach Side Dish)

Sigeumchi Namul is a Korean spinach side dish made by blanching spinach and seasoning it with soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.

This side dish is rich in vitamin C, iron, calcium, and antioxidants, offering a nutritious addition to your Tteokbokki meal.

Sigeumchi Namul has a mild flavor that balances well with Tteokbokki’s spiciness, making it a perfect combination.

6. Pickled Radish

Pickled Radish, or Danmuji, is a sweet and sour side dish made from daikon radish.

It is thinly sliced, marinated in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and salt, and then flavored with turmeric to impart a bright yellow color.

Pickled Radish adds a refreshing crunch to your Tteokbokki meal, cutting through the spiciness and providing a contrast in texture and flavor.

7. Cucumber Salad

Cucumber Salad, or Oi Muchim, is a refreshing Korean side dish made by combining sliced cucumbers with garlic, vinegar, sugar, and red pepper flakes.

This salad provides a cooling effect, balancing the heat of Tteokbokki and refreshing the palate between bites.

Cucumber Salad is quick and easy to prepare, making it an ideal addition to your Tteokbokki meal.

8. Japchae (잡채 Korean Stir-Fried Noodles)

Japchae is a delicious and savory Korean dish that complements tteokbokki perfectly.

The dish features stir-fried sweet potato noodles mixed with various vegetables such as carrots, spinach, onions, and mushrooms.

The result is a plate of colorful and flavorful noodle mix that tantalizes the palate. Japchae is easy to make, and its unique taste makes it a favorite of many Korean cuisine fans worldwide.

You can enjoy japchae as a standalone dish, side dish, or as an accompaniment to tteokbokki to create a filling and nutritious meal.

9. Sikhye (Korean Sweet Rice Punch)

Sikhye is a traditional Korean sweet rice drink that would make a perfect accompaniment to your tteokbokki meal.

The drink is made by brewing malt in cooked rice water and adding sugar or honey to create a sweet taste.

It is served cold and has a nutty taste with a mild sweetness that is a perfect complement to the spiciness of tteokbokki.

Sikhye is a refreshing drink that aids digestion and cools down the body.

When serving tteokbokki, add it to your menu as a dessert or a palate cleanser for a complete Korean culinary experience.

10. Steamed Egg Custard Buns (Liu Sha Bao)

If you’re looking for a unique and tasty side dish to serve alongside tteokbokki, then look no further than steamed egg custard buns, also known as Liu Sha Bao.

The dish features a soft, fluffy bun filled with an aromatic, sweet and savory egg custard.

The combination of flavors creates an explosion of tastes and textures in your mouth.

Steamed egg custard buns are an excellent way to complement the spicy tteokbokki with a sweet and savory side dish.

You can find these buns at most Korean restaurants or make them at home to enjoy with your tteokbokki meal.