Savory Stir-Fried Octopus in Soy Sauce (Ganjang Nakji Bokkeum)
Savory Stir-Fried Octopus in Soy Sauce (Ganjang Nakji Bokkeum)
How to Make Delicious Stir-Fried Octopus with Soy Sauce: Octopus Prep & Savory Sauce Recipe
Here’s a fantastic recipe for Stir-Fried Octopus in Soy Sauce that’s perfect for a delightful side dish, even for kids! Enjoy the chewy and tender texture of octopus in a sweet and savory sauce that’s incredibly satisfying. We’ll guide you through every step, from preparing the octopus to creating the perfect soy sauce-based stir-fry sauce. Make a delicious meal with simple ingredients!
Main Ingredients- 2 medium-sized fresh octopus
- 1 handful of cabbage
- 1/2 onion
- 1/2 stalk of green onion (scallion)
- A small amount of carrot
Flavorful Sauce- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- A pinch of black pepper
- A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- A pinch of black pepper
- A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by preparing the octopus. Carefully cut open the head of the octopus in half with scissors and turn it inside out. Then, use the scissors to gently remove the innards from inside the head, being careful not to break them.
Step 2
Use the scissors to remove the octopus’s eyes. Gather the tentacles together with your hand, push the beak outwards, and then cut it off with scissors. This completes the basic preparation of the octopus.
Step 3
Place the cleaned octopus in a bowl and generously sprinkle it with flour. Gently rub and knead the octopus with the flour (called ‘barak-barak’). This process helps to remove any slimy residue, making the octopus cleaner and firmer. Rinse it thoroughly under running water several times until all the flour and sliminess are gone.
Step 4
Now, let’s ensure the octopus has a perfectly chewy texture! Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the prepared octopus and blanch it for less than 1 minute. Boiling it for too long can make it tough. Immediately after blanching, rinse the octopus under cold running water to stop the cooking process and maintain its delightful firmness.
Step 5
Cut the blanched octopus into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm long. In a small bowl, combine the cut octopus with 1 tablespoon of cooking wine and a pinch of black pepper. Gently mix them together to marinate. This marinating step helps to remove any fishy odors and makes the octopus more tender.
Step 6
Cut the cabbage into bite-sized pieces, similar to the octopus. Place the cut cabbage in a bowl and add enough water to cover it. Stir in 1 tablespoon of vinegar and let it soak for about 5 minutes. Soaking in vinegar water helps reduce any bitterness and enhances the crispness of the cabbage. Drain the cabbage thoroughly in a colander to remove excess moisture.
Step 7
Thinly slice the onion into strips. Cut the carrot into attractive, thin pieces. Slice the green onion diagonally to add a fresh aroma.
Step 8
Now, let’s prepare the delicious soy sauce-based stir-fry sauce. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1/2 tablespoon of sugar, 1.5 tablespoons of corn syrup, 1 tablespoon of cooking wine, 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined. Feel free to adjust the amount of soy sauce to your preference.
Step 9
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a little cooking oil. First, add the sliced green onions and stir-fry them until fragrant. Once the aroma of the green onions is released, add all the other prepared vegetables (cabbage, onion, carrot) and stir-fry until they are slightly softened, but still have a bit of crunch.
Step 10
When the vegetables are slightly wilted, increase the heat to high. Add the marinated octopus to the pan and stir-fry briefly with the vegetables for about 1 minute. Be careful not to overcook the octopus, as it can become tough. Once the octopus starts to change color, add all the prepared sauce to the pan.
Step 11
Keep the heat on high and stir-fry quickly to allow the sauce to thicken and coat the octopus and vegetables evenly. Finally, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for an extra nutty flavor, give it one last quick stir, and your Savory Stir-Fried Octopus is ready! Serve it hot over rice for a delightful meal.
