[Herald Economy=Reporter Min Sang-sik] Former racing model-turned-actress Oh Yoon-ah recently revealed a lighter tteokbokki recipe on her YouTube channel, 'Kitchen in a Box'.In the video, Oh walks viewers through the basic ingredients: 10 rice cakes for tteokbokki and 10 cheese rice cakes, 1/3 of an onion, 2 fish cake slices, and 1 tablespoon chopped green onion. For the sauce she mixes 3 tablespoons gochujang, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon red pepper powder, and 1.5 tablespoons corn syrup.
At first glance it reads like a classic tteokbokki, but Oh’s lighter twist brings in tomato sauce and a splash of red wine vinegar — small swaps that make a big difference.
Oh Yoon-ah explains why she adds tomato sauce and red wine vinegar
Tomato sauce is a pantry staple, and for good reason. Tomatoes are packed with the antioxidant lycopene, which helps neutralize free radicals in the body. Tomato sauce also tends to be lower in calories than many creamier or oil-based sauces, making it a smart swap when you want flavor without the extra heft.
Red wine vinegar is made by naturally fermenting red wine and is rich in acetic acid. Acetic acid can help moderate insulin release from the pancreas, which may reduce sudden blood sugar spikes and keep levels steadier. Red wine vinegar is also high in polyphenols, which can help reduce oxidative stress and support better insulin signaling.
Oh recommends adding the red wine vinegar at the very end of cooking. “If you simmer acids for too long, the aroma disappears and only the sour taste remains,” she says.
Oh’s strawberry ade pairs perfectly with tteokbokki — red wine vinegar is essential
Oh also paired the tteokbokki with a refreshing strawberry ade. Her version mashes strawberries with allulose, sparkling water, rosemary, and a dash of red wine vinegar. The allulose and vinegar together create a bright, sweet-and-tart drink that cleanses the palate.
She notes, “If you don’t have strawberries, use another seasonal fruit,” adding that “red wine vinegar not only adds tang but also brings out the fruit’s sweetness.”
Tasters who tried the ade said it intensified the fruit’s aroma and praised it as a great, cooling way to quench your thirst on a hot summer day.
