닭갈비 Dakgalbi
Chicken marinated in spicy chili paste, stir-fried with cabbage and rice cakes on a hot pan at the table.
Spice: Medium
Bokkeum (stir-fried)
어묵볶음 Eomukbokkeum
Thin strips of fish cake stir-fried with vegetables in a sweet soy sauce, served as a small side dish.
- Stir-fried Fishcake
- Spice: Not spicy
- Contains seafood
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Fish cake, onion, soy sauce |
| How it's served | Set out cold or at room temperature in a small dish, with the other side dishes |
| Spice level | Not spicy — No chili heat. |
| Diet | Contains seafood — Fish, shellfish, fish sauce, salted seafood (jeotgal) or anchovy stock is a standard ingredient. |
| Allergens | Fish · Wheat · Soy · Sesame |
| Ask about | Fish cakes vary and may include egg, shrimp or squid; some versions add chili flakes. |
| On the menu | 어묵볶음 (Eomukbokkeum) |
| Also called | eomuk bokkeum · odeng bokkeum · omuk bokkeum · fish cake stir-fry |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Stir-fried Fishcake
Take a few strips with chopsticks
The dish is shared by the whole table. Lift a few strips at a time onto your rice or into your mouth.
Eat it with rice
The sweet, salty glaze goes well with plain rice, soup or stew.
Ask for a refill
Side dishes are often refilled for free. Some restaurants have a self-serve side dish bar instead.
On the table
Order it as 어묵볶음. You rarely need to: it usually comes free as a side dish with a meal, and you can ask for more.
- On the menu: 어묵볶음
- Usually sold: Included with a meal, as a side dish
Similar dishes
제육볶음 Jeyukbokkeum
Thin slices of pork stir-fried in a spicy chili paste sauce, eaten with rice or wrapped in lettuce.
Spice: Medium
멸치볶음 Myeolchibokkeum
Small dried anchovies stir-fried in a sweet soy glaze until crisp, served as a small side dish.
Spice: Not spicy
Questions about Stir-fried Fishcake
Is eomukbokkeum vegetarian?
No. Fish cake is made from ground fish, so the dish contains seafood. If you avoid fish, ask the staff about other side dishes.
Is eomukbokkeum spicy?
Not spicy, in the usual version. Some restaurants add chili flakes or chili paste, so ask the staff if you avoid heat.
How is eomukbokkeum different from fish cake skewers?
It is a small side dish of stir-fried strips. Fish cake skewers are sold at street stalls and simmered in a hot broth.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 24, 2026