Step 1

Fry 2-4 bacon slices/rashers in 2 tbsp oil, remove from pan and slice into bite-sized pieces. In the bacon oil, sauté ½ a diced onion and 2.5 cups (6 oz/180g) of sliced mushrooms. Next, add 2 minced garlic cloves and fry until garlic is fragrant.

Step 2

Now, you can pour in ¾ cup (180ml) water/stock and ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream, mix and bring to a boil. For very mildly spicy tteokbokki, stir in 0.5 tbsp gochujang paste until combined into the creamy sauce. Add much more gochujang or gochujaru powder if you want to taste spice!

Step 3

At this moment, add 10.5 oz (0.7 lb/ 300g) rice cakes and remember to keep stirring. This will prevent them sticking to the pan and burning. Cook the rice cakes according to package instructions. I stirred mine for 3-5 minutes and 1 minute before the rice cakes are ready, add the cooked bacon and 1.5 oz (40g) chopped cheddar cheese. Turn off the heat and stir in 1 cup (90g) shredded mozzarella to combine.

Step 4

Serve with chopped scallions (green onions/spring onions). Season generously with cracked black pepper.