What Does Rice Cake Taste Like?

If you are out to experiment with rice cakes, this guide has got you covered on everything you need to know about its taste, texture, and varieties. 

I have compiled these notes from taste tests and reviews left by home cooks and chefs around the world. 

Let’s dive right into it. 

What are Rice Cakes? 

Rice cakes are Asian snacks that are made from pounded and steamed rice that is mixed with water or other liquids. They can be made into different shapes, which will affect how they taste and feel once they are cooked. They can be found steamed or fried and in sweet and savory recipes.

Rice cakes can also vary depending on the rice that is used to make them. The rice cakes made with brown rice are considered to be the healthier version. 

What Do Rice Cakes Taste Like? 

Rice cakes have a mildly sweet and starchy taste because of the rice. But in essence, the rice cakes don’t have any strong flavor of their own and readily take on the flavors of the condiments or spices it is cooked with.

The main difference that one might experience is the texture of the rice cakes.

The thinly sliced rice cakes are softer and lighter, whereas the thicker cylindrical ones are more on the chewy side and sticky. There are also dried rice cakes that are flaky and crispy. 

Sometimes additional ingredients may be added to the rice cake mix and which can also affect the texture of the rice cakes once they are cooked, like seaweed or salt.

Though across Asia they come under various names and shapes, the taste remains more or less the same. 

What Do Korean Rice Cakes (Tteokbokki) Taste Like? 

Korean rice cake or Tteokbokki is a popular Korean street food item that is essentially rice cakes fried in a sweet and savory sauce. Short cylindrical rice cakes are mixed in with a spicy, savory, and sweet sauce, much like pasta.

Though the rice cakes themselves don’t have any distinct flavor, the dish Tteokbokki is quite spicy with undertones of sweetness that come from the rice cakes. 

Here is a quick video to prepare Korean Rice Cake –

What Do Puffed Rice Cakes Taste Like? 

Much like the name suggests, the puffed rice cakes have an airy and light taste, with a lightly sweet note. They can be compared to cereal grains in their texture and taste. Although they can be more or less bland in flavor, they are versatile and marry well with both sweet and savory flavors.

What Do Japanese Rice Cakes Taste Like? 

Japanese rice cakes or mochi taste much like any other rice cake on their own – chewy, sweet, and starchy. But the Japanese rice cakes are known for their variety of sweet flavors that come from incorporating different ingredients such as green tea, fruit flavors, or other sweeteners. They can be in baked, grilled, or fried form. 

What Do Quaker Rice Cakes Taste Like? 

The Quaker rice cakes have a bland taste and a texture that lies in between a cracker and bread. They have a mildly sweet taste but other than that they take on the flavor of whatever they are eaten with. They are intended to be alternatives to bread and go great with dips or butter.

Do Rice Cakes Taste Good? 

Rice cakes, on their own, have a mild sweet taste but nothing too distinct or overpowering. In fact, some might say they are bland. But that is what makes rice cakes a versatile and healthy snack as their chewy pieces go well with sweet, spicy, or savory flavors.

So, you can always pick a rice cake recipe that suits your taste. 

Are Rice Cakes Supposed to Be Chewy? 

Yes, rice cakes are supposed to be chewy and sticky. The pounding of the rice dough makes the rice cakes chewy. If the dough was not made properly, the rice cake will either fall apart or be quite hard and unappetizing.

What Can Enhance the Flavor of Rice Cakes? 

Because of their versatility, the rice cakes can be enhanced in flavor with a variety of ingredients. The simple addition of salt or seaweed can change its flavor. Mixing it in with different sauces, or mixing the rice cake dough with fruity flavors of green tea can give you entirely new dishes.

They can also be enhanced in flavor by using different cooking methods. 

Bottom Line 

I hope this article helped you figure out the different types and tastes of rice cakes. 

If you have any queries or would like to share some interesting kitchen tips and hacks of your own, it would be great to hear from you. 

Feel free to share this article with your family and friends looking for a healthy snack.