Spicy Pork Bulgogi with Korean Green Peppers
Spicy Pork Bulgogi with Korean Green Peppers
Make Savory Soy-Marinated Pork Stir-fry with Korean Green Peppers (Ggajin Jeyuk)
A soy-marinated pork stir-fry enhanced with the aromatic and flavorful Korean green peppers (Ggajin Jeyuk).
Main Ingredients- Pork shoulder or neck, thinly sliced for bulgogi (600g)
- 1 Onion
- 80-100g Korean green peppers (Ggajin peppers)
Marinade Ingredients- 3-4 Tbsp Soy sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Oligosaccharide (adjust sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced ginger (or a pinch of ginger powder)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- A pinch of Black pepper
- 1/2 Green onion (for marinade)
- 3-4 Tbsp Soy sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Oligosaccharide (adjust sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced ginger (or a pinch of ginger powder)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- A pinch of Black pepper
- 1/2 Green onion (for marinade)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, finely mince the white part of the green onion for the marinade. This will add a fragrant onion aroma to the sauce.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients: soy sauce, oyster sauce, mirin, oligosaccharide, minced garlic, minced ginger, sesame oil, black pepper, and minced green onion. Mix well until thoroughly combined and no lumps remain. Using 3 tablespoons of soy sauce will result in a mild flavor, while 4 tablespoons will provide a perfectly balanced savory taste, so adjust according to your preference.
Step 3
I’ve used pork shoulder for this recipe. If your pork is already thinly sliced for bulgogi, you can use it as is. Otherwise, slice any excessively long or large pieces into bite-sized portions (about 5-7 cm), keeping in mind that the meat will shrink when cooked.
Step 4
Place the sliced pork in a large bowl. Pour all the prepared marinade over the pork. Gently knead the pork with your hands, ensuring the marinade coats every piece evenly. Marinating the meat thoroughly will make it taste much better.
Step 5
Cover the marinated pork and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For an even richer flavor, you can marinate it overnight and cook it the next day. This will make the pork exceptionally tender and allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 6
While the pork is marinating, prepare the vegetables. Peel and thinly slice the onion into about 0.5 cm thick strips. Avoid slicing them too thinly, so they retain a pleasant texture when stir-fried.
Step 7
Wash the Korean green peppers thoroughly and remove their stems. You can leave them whole, but for better flavor infusion, it’s recommended to cut them in half lengthwise.
Step 8
Heat a large, deep pan or wok over high heat until very hot. Add the marinated pork to the hot pan and stir-fry quickly over high heat. Use chopsticks or a spatula to separate the meat pieces as they cook, preventing them from sticking together.
Step 9
Once the surface of the pork begins to turn white, add the sliced onions and continue to stir-fry them together. Stir-frying over high heat is crucial to seal in the juices of the meat and vegetables.
Step 10
As the onions release their moisture, continue to stir-fry over high heat until the onion liquid has reduced and the pork is nicely browned. This step helps to develop the savory flavor of the pork.
Step 11
When most of the liquid in the pan has evaporated, carefully pour in 300ml of water. This will create a sauce, prevent the marinade from burning, and further tenderize the pork.
Step 12
Bring the water to a boil, then maintain high heat. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced and thickened, coating the pork beautifully. Allow the sauce to reduce until it’s slightly saucy, not completely dry.
Step 13
This braising process, involving adding water and simmering, will result in much more tender pork compared to simply stir-frying it. The flavors will also penetrate deeper into the meat.
Step 14
Once the sauce has thickened, add the prepared Korean green peppers. Stir-fry for about 2 more minutes, just until the peppers are tender-crisp. Avoid overcooking them to maintain their fresh bite.
Step 15
When the Korean green peppers are cooked to your liking and the sauce beautifully coats everything, your dish is complete. Turn off the heat and enjoy your delicious meal!
