Braised Croaker Fish (Bakdae Jorim) – No Fishy Smell!
Braised Croaker Fish (Bakdae Jorim) – No Fishy Smell!
Deliciously Savory Braised Croaker Fish with No Unpleasant Odor
Croaker fish (Bakdae) is one of my favorites because it’s so enjoyable without any fishy smell! It’s been a while since I made this braised croaker fish dish. Let’s get started!
Main Ingredients- 2 Croaker Fish (Bakdae)
- 1 Onion
- 1/2 bunch Enoki Mushrooms
- 1/2 Zucchini
- 1 Red Chili Pepper
- 2 Green Chili Peppers (like Cheongyang chili)
Seasoning Sauce- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (regular)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for soup/stew)
- 1 Tbsp Red Pepper Flakes (Gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Cooking Wine (Mirin, etc.)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (regular)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for soup/stew)
- 1 Tbsp Red Pepper Flakes (Gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Cooking Wine (Mirin, etc.)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s make the delicious seasoning sauce! In a wide bowl, combine 1 Tbsp of regular soy sauce, 1 Tbsp of soup soy sauce, 1 Tbsp of gochugaru (red pepper flakes), 1 Tbsp of minced garlic, and 1/2 Tbsp of cooking wine (like Mirin). Stir everything together evenly with a spoon. Your basic seasoning sauce that will add savory depth to the dish is ready!
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the vegetables that will form the base of our braise. Slice the onion (1 medium) into thick pieces. Spreading these sliced onions at the bottom of the pot will prevent the fish from sticking and infuse the entire dish with the onion’s natural sweetness, making it even more delicious.
Step 3
Clean and prepare the fresh croaker fish, then cut it into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4 cm). Carefully arrange the cut fish pieces on top of the sliced onions. Handle the fish gently to prevent it from breaking.
Step 4
Add the zucchini, which is great for combating the summer heat! Slice half of the zucchini into half-moon shapes or thick pieces and arrange them on top of the fish, filling any gaps. The colorful appearance makes the dish visually appealing!
Step 5
Pour the pre-made seasoning sauce evenly over the ingredients. Add about 1/4 cup (50ml) of water, pouring it carefully along the sides of the pot. Now, bring it to a boil over high heat. Cover with a lid, and once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low to let it simmer.
Step 6
The braise is simmering beautifully! At this stage, use a spoon or ladle to scoop up some of the broth from the pot and spoon it over the fish and vegetables. Basting the ingredients with the broth multiple times will help the flavors penetrate evenly and create a much richer taste. Continue to simmer gently until the dish is almost done.
Step 7
Finally, it’s time to add the ingredients that will enhance the flavor and aroma. Trim the base of the enoki mushrooms and separate them into strands. Slice the red and green chili peppers diagonally. Add these ingredients to the pot and simmer for another minute or so until everything is cooked through and the delicious braised croaker fish is ready! We recommend serving it immediately while it’s still warm.
