Air Fryer Eonyang Bulgogi
[Air Fryer Recipe Recommendation] Perfectly Cooked Eonyang Bulgogi with a Juicy Finish
As someone who got into cooking relatively late, I was hesitant to buy an air fryer. I debated it a lot, and while the selection in Canada is narrower than in Korea, some brands are just iconic. I ended up investing in a large-capacity Philips model about six months ago, and honestly, the large size is a game-changer. It’s fantastic for cooking meals for 4-5 people or for trying out more ambitious dishes that might be tricky otherwise. This time, I decided to try making Eonyang Bulgogi in my air fryer. Since this style is cooked more like grilled meat, I lined my spacious air fryer basket with foil and spread the marinated bulgogi over it to ‘grill.’ The result was amazing: the bottom stayed wonderfully juicy with all the marinade, while the top got a lovely, slightly crispy golden-brown finish. It’s a unique and delicious twist! Today, I’m sharing this uncommon air fryer recipe that’s easy and guaranteed to succeed for everyone. Let’s also explore tips for making a richer, more flavorful bulgogi marinade!
Main Ingredients
- Marinated Bulgogi 300g
- 1 Red Chili Pepper
- 1 Scallion
- 1/2 tsp Sesame Seeds
Bulgogi Marinade Ingredients
- 1 Chopped Chili Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or Cooking Wine)
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Sesame Seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2 Tbsp Water
- 1 Chopped Chili Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or Cooking Wine)
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Sesame Seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2 Tbsp Water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
1. First, finely chop the scallion and thinly slice the red chili pepper into about 0.2 cm thick rounds. These will be used later as garnishes to make the dish visually appealing.
Step 2
2. I personally like to marinate bulgogi ahead of time and freeze it, then thaw it for cooking. While bulgogi often includes onions, scallions, and carrots, for Eonyang-style bulgogi, it’s best to avoid mushrooms as they release too much moisture, making it difficult to achieve a crispy texture. The marinade ingredients are as follows: 1 chopped chili pepper, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp oyster sauce, 2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp mirin, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp sesame seeds, 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil, and 2 Tbsp water. Adding a bit of oyster sauce enhances the umami flavor significantly, and the honey, though a small amount, adds a touch of sophisticated sweetness to the overall taste.
Step 3
3. Line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil, ensuring it has a slight lip or height. Since this dish involves juices, creating a slight barrier will help prevent the delicious marinade and meat juices from dripping out and burning at the bottom.
Step 4
4. Now, spread the marinated bulgogi evenly over the foil-lined basket. If you prefer your bulgogi extra crispy, you can place the meat directly on the basket without foil, or poke about 6-7 holes in the foil with a chopstick before cooking. This allows more moisture to escape.
Step 5
5. Set the air fryer temperature to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 12 minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of the meat.
Step 6
6. After 12 minutes, your Eonyang Bulgogi will be ready! The edges will be golden and slightly crisp, while the inside remains wonderfully juicy. Transfer the bulgogi to a serving plate, garnish generously with the chopped scallions, sliced red chili peppers, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. The slight heat from the chili peppers complements the rich bulgogi perfectly. Enjoy this uniquely delicious Eonyang Bulgogi, made effortlessly in your air fryer! 🙂
