Savory mochi, or rice cake, in Japan is limited to crispy rice snacks such as arare or osembei, or can be enjoyed in soup or simply broiled/fried with soy sauce, as in my isobeyaki recipe I posted here a few weeks ago. However, my Chinese girlfriend taught me a completely new dish that uses the thinly sliced Korean mochi called ddeok gook ddeok. I’m not sure if this is her original recipe, but I’ve never seen it anywhere else.  I must ask her next time I see her.   In my neighborhood, this can be found at most Asian groceries whether they are Chinese, Japanese or Korean.  In Korea, this rice cake is used in a traditional soup.  With its soft gummy texture, any simple soup can transform into a substantial meal.  But today’s recipe uses this rice cake in a stir-fry with thinly sliced beef.  It’s so easy, with only a few ingredients and my kids just gobble it up.

Korean Mochi with Beef Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

  • Thinly sliced Korean mochi – rice cakes:  They come in 2 lb. bags and I used half, 1 lb.
  • 1 lb. Thinly slice beef cut into bite size pieces
  • cornstarch, soy sauce and sake to marinate meat
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sake (rice wine)

Place sliced mochi into a bowl and soak for at least 30 minutes in water.  Because they come in a vacuum packed bag, they are usually stuck together.  I found that it is easier to separate the mochi when it is soaking in water.  In a separate bowl, place sliced beef and marinate with a dash of soy sauce and sake, then sprinkle with cornstarch and blend well.  This helps keep the beef tender when stir-frying.  Let sit of 30 minutes for the flavors to blend.

Now you are ready to stir-fry.  In a hot wok or frying pan, add oil and brown beef, then lower the flame.  Drain the water from the mochi add the mochi to the beef.  Stir-fry and season with the sugar, soy sauce and sake.  That’s all.  If you like it sweeter add more sugar and adjust flavor.

It’s a fun dish that makes you chew, but if you like mochi I hope you give it try and please tell me how it turns out!

Photo: Pixabay

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