Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Pork with Ssamjang
Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Pork with Ssamjang
15-Minute Ssamjang-Based Stir-fried Pork Recipe
This stir-fried pork is made with a base of store-bought ssamjang, creating a deep and rich flavor. The delicious essence of ssamjang effectively neutralizes the characteristic odor of pork, making this a simple recipe that can be enjoyed immediately after preparation. It’s perfect for ssam (lettuce wraps), and even eliminates the need for extra ssamjang when paired with kimchi wraps, offering a truly delicious meal. Enjoy this convenient yet flavorful dish!
Main Ingredients- Pork (neck or belly recommended) 600g
- 1 large green onion
- 4 shiitake mushrooms
Pork Marination- 3 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or soju)
Spicy and Sweet Sauce- 3 Tbsp ssamjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp grated ginger (or a pinch of ginger powder)
- A pinch of black pepper
Finishing Touches- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
For Stir-frying Vegetables- A little cooking oil
- 3 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or soju)
Spicy and Sweet Sauce- 3 Tbsp ssamjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp grated ginger (or a pinch of ginger powder)
- A pinch of black pepper
Finishing Touches- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
For Stir-frying Vegetables- A little cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
For Stir-frying Vegetables- A little cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cut the pork into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4 cm). Prepare the green onion by slicing it diagonally into large pieces, separating the white and green parts. Clean the shiitake mushrooms by removing the stems and slicing them into quarters or desired sizes.
Step 2
Drizzle the 3 tablespoons of cooking wine (soju or mirin) evenly over the cut pork. This step is crucial for effectively removing any pork odor and tenderizing the meat. Let it marinate for about 5 minutes.
Step 3
In a mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of ssamjang, 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 3 tablespoons of gochugaru, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of grated ginger, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well to create the sauce. All your ingredients are now prepped and ready!
Step 4
Heat a pan over medium heat and add a little cooking oil. Place the sliced shiitake mushrooms and grill them until they are nicely browned and fragrant. This enhances the mushroom’s flavor and helps prevent them from releasing too much water when stir-fried with the pork. Set the grilled mushrooms aside.
Step 5
In the same pan, add a bit more cooking oil and sauté the white parts of the sliced green onion over medium-low heat until fragrant, creating ‘pa-gi-reum’ (scallion oil). Once the scallion aroma is released, add the marinated pork and the prepared sauce. Stir-fry until the pork is evenly coated with the sauce.
Step 6
Prepare 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and a pinch of toasted sesame seeds for finishing the dish. These will add a wonderful aroma and glossy finish.
Step 7
Once the pork is partially cooked, add the reserved grilled shiitake mushrooms and the green parts of the sliced green onion to the pan. Continue to stir-fry. Begin on high heat for about 1 minute to sear, then reduce the heat to medium-high and cook for another 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the pork starts to burn, lower the heat to medium to control the temperature. Finally, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for extra flavor and sheen.
Step 8
Transfer the well-cooked stir-fried pork to a serving plate. Sprinkle with the prepared toasted sesame seeds for a final garnish. Enjoy this dish wrapped in fresh leafy greens. It’s especially delicious when wrapped with crisp kimchi – a truly delightful experience!
