Dookki is THE place to go if you want to eat your fill of Korea’s most popular street food. Tteokbokki is the perfect comfort food! It’s a gummy rice cake served in a balanced spicy sauce. However, at this chain, you can enjoy all you can eat tteokbokki in different varieties, with diverse toppings and sauces, paired with fried foods.
Tteokbokki
Tteokbokki (떡볶이), also known as simmered rice cakes, is one of the most common dishes in Korea and comes in multiple variations.
While tteokbokki has been around for at least hundreds of years, the most common interpretation of the dish has only been around since the 1950s.
According to modern legend, the most common version of tteokbokki (Sindang Ttokbokki) was actually created by accident. Tteokbokki was created when famous chief Mabok Lim mistakenly dropped rice caked into a bowl of black bean noodles. Realizing the mistake, she decided to make the most of it and added some red pepper paste.
The result was amazing! She opened a restaurant in the Sindang area of Seoul and became the most famous chef in Korea at the time. People began creating their own versions of the dish and now, it is South Korea’s most beloved street food.
Dookki
Dookki takes this Korean street food classic and raises it to another level.
They have so many options when it comes to rice cakes. You really can’t find a selection like this anywhere else. They have all different sizes, shapes, textures, and fillings. But, the best part is – you can try them all! Oh, the wonders of buffets!
Personally, after trying every option, I have decided my favorite is the cheese-filled rice cakes.
They also have a whole bar of toppings. They carry everything from vegetables to boiled eggs and also fried food, like chicken and dumplings. Plus, they have an unlimed soda bar.
For me, the best part was creating my own sauce. Nowhere else is that an option. Normally there is a single signature tteokbokki sauce that each stall or restaurant sells. However, none stray too far from Mabok Lim’s 1953 recipe.
At Dookki you can get creative. You can combine sauces and decide for yourself which balance of flavors goes best with rice cakes. We chose traditional garlic sauce with a bit of cream sauce, it was delicious, and not spicy!
If you love rice cakes but are limited in your ability to enjoy tteokbokki due to dietary restrictions or spice intolerance, Dookki is perfect. Everything is in your control
Price
Everything was 8,900 won per person. I left the restaurant super full. The price is definitely worth it as it is one of the cheapest buffets that I found in South Korea so far.
Normally, a single plate at a sit-down tteokbokki restaurant would be a similar price. Dooki is a steal considering the quality, customization options, and limitless supply.
Additionally, students can receive a discount if they show their school ID when paying.
Locations
Dookki Tteokbokki not only has locations all over Korea but internationally.
They have stores in Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines. And so if you are located in any of these countries, you should look up the location nearest you and give it a try!
Conclusion
South Korea sometimes can get expensive, so as a student, I always try to find the best option of meals for my budget. With that said, I think that Dookki all-you-can-eat tteokbokki is a great option for a nice personalized, traditional, and cheap meal.
Looking for more buffet franchises in Korea? Click Here to read about Korea’s best budae jjigae buffet.
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