Chewy Gochujang Braised Potatoes
The Ultimate Gochujang Potato Braise Recipe | Easy & Delicious Rice Side Dish
Potatoes are a staple ingredient at home, and they’re so versatile! This recipe transforms simple potatoes into a delightful gochujang braised side dish, perfect for any meal. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s both savory and slightly sweet with a hint of spice. Let’s make this incredibly tasty Korean side dish that pairs perfectly with rice!
Main Ingredients
- Potatoes: 150-180g (about 1 medium potato)
- Fish Cakes (Eomuk): 2 sheets (100g)
- Green Onion: 30g
- Cheongyang Pepper: 1 (10g)
- Water: 200cc
Seasoning Ingredients
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes): 2 Tbsp (14g)
- Sugar: 2 Tbsp (20g, slightly leveled)
- Soy Sauce (regular): 1 Tbsp (8g)
- Fish Sauce (anchovy): 1 Tbsp (8g)
- Mirin (rice wine): 3 Tbsp (24g)
- Oyster Sauce: 1/2 Tbsp (6g)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste): 1/2 Tbsp (15g)
- Minced Garlic: 1/2 Tbsp (10g)
- Black Pepper: 1-2 pinches
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes): 2 Tbsp (14g)
- Sugar: 2 Tbsp (20g, slightly leveled)
- Soy Sauce (regular): 1 Tbsp (8g)
- Fish Sauce (anchovy): 1 Tbsp (8g)
- Mirin (rice wine): 3 Tbsp (24g)
- Oyster Sauce: 1/2 Tbsp (6g)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste): 1/2 Tbsp (15g)
- Minced Garlic: 1/2 Tbsp (10g)
- Black Pepper: 1-2 pinches
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare one medium-sized potato and cut it into approximately 1cm thick slices. Avoid cutting them too thin, or they might break apart during cooking.
Step 2
Cut the sliced potatoes into 4-6 bite-sized pieces. This size is comfortable to eat, even for children.
Step 3
Cut the two sheets of fish cake into pieces similar in size to the potatoes, or slightly smaller. Adding fish cake enhances the savory flavor profile as it absorbs the braising sauce, making it even more delicious.
Step 4
Chop the green onion roughly, about 2-3 cuts; it doesn’t need to be finely minced. Slice one Cheongyang pepper (or a spicy green chili) to add a pleasant kick of heat. The pepper’s spiciness balances the richness of the dish.
Step 5
Place the cut potatoes in a bowl and add 1-2 tablespoons of corn syrup (or rice syrup). Mix well and let them marinate for 20-30 minutes. This step is crucial for preventing the potatoes from falling apart and giving them a wonderfully chewy texture.
Step 6
After marinating, gently rinse the potatoes under running water to remove excess starch. Drain them thoroughly in a colander. Removing moisture is key to achieving that chewy texture.
Step 7
In a mixing bowl, combine 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp sugar (leveled), 1 Tbsp soy sauce, and 1 Tbsp fish sauce. Mix these to create the base of your braising sauce. It’s best to adjust the sugar level later according to your taste.
Step 8
Add the soy sauce and fish sauce next; these provide the salty and umami notes.
Step 9
Pour in 3 Tbsp of Mirin (rice wine). This helps to tenderize the ingredients and adds a subtle sweetness and sheen.
Step 10
Add 1/2 Tbsp of oyster sauce for an extra layer of savory depth.
Step 11
Now, add 1/2 Tbsp of gochujang for that signature spicy flavor and 1/2 Tbsp of minced garlic. Freshly minced garlic will offer the best aroma and taste.
Step 12
Finally, add 1-2 pinches of black pepper and mix all the seasoning ingredients thoroughly to create a well-blended sauce.
Step 13
In a heated pan, add the drained potatoes and pour all the prepared sauce over them. Add the 200cc of water.
Step 14
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Once the potatoes are partially cooked, add the sliced fish cakes, green onion, and Cheongyang pepper.
Step 15
Continue to cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently for another 2-3 minutes. If the sauce seems too dry, add 3-4 tablespoons of water at a time to reach your desired consistency. Stirring constantly ensures the sauce coats everything evenly.
Step 16
Continue to cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and the sauce has thickened. This will result in a wonderfully chewy and flavorful potato and fish cake braise – a perfect side dish for rice!
Step 17
Serve warm with your favorite rice for an absolutely delicious meal!
