Among the plethora of tteokbokki establishments in Korea, three franchises particularly stand out: Dongdaemun Yupdduk, Sinjeon Tteokbokki and Dookki Tteokbokki. Each brings a unique twist to this beloved street food, making it more accessible with widespread locations throughout the country. They offer various dining options, including in-store seating as well as convenient take-out or delivery, ensuring a satisfying tteokbokki experience is never far away.

Dongdaemun Yupdduck / Courtesy of Dongdaemun Yupdduk

Dongdaemun Yupdduk is famous for its bold, intensely spicy tteokbokki, served in big, shareable bowls. Originating in Seoul's bustling Dongdaemun District, this dish is drenched in a fiery red sauce to have you hooked from the first bite.

The basic version is served with rice cakes, fish cakes, sausages and cabbage and topped with a swirl of cheese, while customers can enhance their teokbokki with a variety of options such as wide glass noodles and fen haozi noodles. The franchise is also famous for its mala tteokbokki, spiced with Chinese seasonings, with the mala rose version adding cream for a softer taste and hue. The spice levels are adjustable, but even the mildest option packs a punch.

Best enjoyed with friends, the large portions and adjustable heat levels make it a go-to for spice enthusiasts. Pro tip: Pair it with a cold beverage such as the sweet Korean drink Coolpis and enjoy in moderation — Yupdduk's spice is not for the faint-hearted.

Sinjeon Tteokbokki / Courtesy of Sinjeon Tteokbokki

Sinjeon Tteokbokki offers a more approachable but equally tantalizing experience. Known for its budget-friendly menu, Sinjeon's classic tteokbokki (4,000 won) is bathed in a sauce with a subtle curry and pepper kick that makes it stand out, available in three levels of spiciness. Its cheese tteokbokki (6,000 won) is smothered with a generous layer of melted cheese. Creamy rose and mala rose variants are also available.

The franchise is also famous for its crispy "twigim," or fried snacks, which are finger-licking good when dipped in the tteokbokki sauce. Among the array of fried treats, fried fish cake is a must. Sinjeon's menu extends beyond tteokbokki, featuring popular sides like gimbap and cupbap (rice bowls), making it a perfect choice for a quick and satisfying meal.

Dookki Tteokbokki / Courtesy of Dookki Tteokbokki

For those who crave variety and creativity, Dookki Tteokbokki provides a buffet-style, do-it-yourself dining experience that centers on tteokbokki. The name "Dookki," meaning two meals in Korean, hints at the concept it offers: starting with a meal of tteokbokki followed by a round of fried rice.

Guests can select from an array of sauces, rice cakes and toppings to cook their tteokbokki right at the table. Options range from traditional slim rice cakes to ones with holes for better sauce absorption, noodle-like rice cakes and cheese-filled variants. Sauce choices vary from classic tteokbokki flavors to a sweet Busan style and a spicy Dongdaemun version, with options like black bean and curry powder to add a twist.

While a basic recipe is provided, the combinations are limitless. Typically, diners start by boiling the broth, then adding sauce, rice cakes, fish cakes, vegetables and noodles in order.

But the fun doesn't stop there — the highlight is the after-meal fried rice, where diners mix leftover sauce with rice, vegetables and toppings to create a second savory course.

Dookki's hands-on, playful experience is ideal for families or groups wanting to experiment with endless flavor possibilities.