Granny Ma Bok-lim Tteokbokki's classic tteokbokki set includes rice cakes, fish cakes, instant noodles, jjolmyeon (chewy noodles) and mandu (dumplings), served in a hot pot. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk By K-culture Desk Seoul is a haven for tteokbokki lovers, offering a mix of iconic family-run spots and trendy new eateries. This list features eight must-visit tteokbokki places in Seoul, offering various ways to enjoy Korea's iconic street food.
Whether you prefer classic spicy rice cakes or unique variations with creative sauces, these spots promise to deliver a taste of this popular snack. Granny Ma Bok-lim Tteokbokki ■ Address: 5 Dasan-ro 35-gil, Jung District, Seoul ■ Phone: 02-2232-8930 ■ Hours: 9 a.m.
–10:50 p.m., Closed on the second and fourth Monday of every month Granny Ma Bok-lim is celebrated as the pioneer of modern-style tteokbokki, a popular dish featuring stir-fried rice cakes with "gochujang" (red pepper paste).
She began her innovative dish from a small stall in Sindang-dong in 1953, shortly after the 1950-53 Korean War. Her unique recipe included a secret sauce made from a blend of gochujang and "chunjang" (black bean paste), which quickly attracted children and adults alike to her stall. Ma became a household name in the 1990s, thanks to her memorable appearance in a gochujang commercial with the catchphrase, “The daughter-in-law doesn’t know (the recipe of the sauce)!” Reflecting her legacy, Sindang-dong now hosts a Tteokbokki Food Stre.
