Spicy Stir-fried Baby Octopus (Jjukkumi Bokkeum)
Spicy Stir-fried Baby Octopus (Jjukkumi Bokkeum)
Craving something fiery? Make this spicy baby octopus stir-fry!
This stir-fry boasts an intensely spicy flavor that will make you sweat, but it’s incredibly delicious mixed with rice. Be warned, it’s seriously hot!
Baby Octopus & Vegetables- 1 pack baby octopus (approx. 400g)
- 1 onion
- 1/2 carrot
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 cheongyang chili peppers
- 1 green onion
Spicy Sauce- 5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Tbsp guk-ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce)
- 2 Tbsp jin-ganjang (regular soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp mirin (or cooking wine)
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesil-cheong)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy sauce)
- A pinch of sesame oil
- A pinch of black pepper
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- 5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Tbsp guk-ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce)
- 2 Tbsp jin-ganjang (regular soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp mirin (or cooking wine)
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesil-cheong)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy sauce)
- A pinch of sesame oil
- A pinch of black pepper
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the baby octopus thoroughly under running water. It’s crucial to drain them completely using a colander or paper towels. Even if you bought pre-cleaned octopus, make sure to remove the beak. You can easily push it out from the sides of the beak near the head with your fingernail.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients: gochugaru, guk-ganjang, jin-ganjang, gochujang, mirin, plum extract, sugar, and fish sauce. Mix well until there are no lumps. Preparing the sauce in advance will make the cooking process much smoother.
Step 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the chopped green onion and stir-fry until fragrant. Once the green onion releases its aroma, add the gochugaru and stir-fry quickly over low heat, being careful not to burn it, to create chili oil. This step adds depth to the spicy flavor.
Step 4
Slice the onion and carrot into strips. Slice the cheongyang chili peppers diagonally. Once the chili oil is fragrant, add all the prepared vegetables (onion, carrot, and chili peppers) to the pan and stir-fry until they become slightly translucent.
Step 5
When the vegetables are partially cooked, add the drained baby octopus and about half of the prepared sauce to the pan. Stir-fry vigorously over high heat. Baby octopus can become tough if overcooked, so the key is to cook it quickly until its color changes.
Step 6
Once the octopus is fully cooked and changes color, use scissors to cut it into bite-sized pieces. Add more sauce if needed, according to your preference, to enhance the glossiness. Finish by sprinkling a pinch of black pepper and drizzling sesame oil for extra aroma. Transfer the stir-fried octopus to a serving plate and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for a final touch.
Step 7
Enjoy your meal with this ‘Spicy Stir-fried Baby Octopus,’ a dish that’s perfect as a side or a drinking snack! For another delicious option, try our sweet and tangy ‘Spicy Whelk Salad with Noodles’ recipe. ([Recipe Link: @6885148])
