The double “tt” and stacked consonants may look daunting, but the pattern is simple.

Step‑by‑Step Pronunciation Guide

Korean IPA: /t͈ʌk̚.p͈o.k͈i/ → tuhk‑BOH‑kee (also pronounced “duhk‑BOH‑kee”)
Breaking it down
• tuhk / duhk — tense double “tt,” approximated by a crisp “tuhk” or soft “duhk.”
• BOH — stressed syllable, long “oh” as in “go.”
• kee — light “kee,” like “key.”
Say it smoothly in three beats, stressing the middle: tuhk‑BOH‑kee.

Common Mispronunciations

• “tee‑ohk‑BOH‑kee” – inserting an extra vowel
• “tuh‑KO‑bok‑ee” – swapping syllables
• Dropping the last syllable: “tuhk‑BOHK”

Practice Sentences

• “Let’s grab some tteokbokki after class.”
• “Cheese tteokbokki is my comfort food.”
• “K‑dramas always make tteokbokki look so delicious.”

Tteokbokki in Food Culture

From traditional gungjung tteokbokki (soy‑based) to cheese‑laden street‑stall versions, this dish showcases Korea’s evolving food scene. Mastering the pronunciation tuhk‑BOH‑kee helps when ordering or discussing Korean cuisine.

Tteokbokki is a Korean dish of chewy rice cakes simmered in a sweet‑spicy gochujang sauce, often with fish cakes, boiled eggs, or cheese. It is a staple of Korean street food and cafés worldwide.