Baek Se-hee passes away: What exactly is Ttekbokki? How a dish that went from food to literary symbol

Baek Se-hee, the South Korean author whose memoir I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki gave a generation language for their inner battles, passed away this week at the age of 35. At the heart of her book — and her philosophy — lies one simple, ordinary, and profoundly meaningful thing: tteokbokki.What exactly is tteokbokki? Tteokbokki (떡볶이) is one of the most iconic comfort foods in Korea — a humble street snack made of soft, chewy rice cakes (tteok) simmered in a vibrant, fiery sauce of gochujang (fermented chilli paste), sugar, soy sauce, and garlic. It is cheap, filling, and unpretentious. Sold at street stalls and food carts across the country, it’s the sort of dish teenagers eat after school while gossiping, couples share on chilly nights, and tired workers grab on their w