Savory & Sweet Dried Filefish Stir-Fry (Gwipo Bokkeum) Recipe
A Delicious Side Dish and Snack: Dried Filefish Stir-Fry
This dried filefish stir-fry is perfect as a side dish for kids’ meals or as a delightful snack to pair with beer. Its chewy texture and sweet and savory sauce make it incredibly appealing!
Main Ingredients
- Dried Filefish (Gwipo) 150-200g (approx. 5-6 whole pieces if round)
- Cooking Oil 4 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
If you are using whole, round dried filefish, prepare about 5 to 6 pieces. Cut the filefish into bite-sized pieces or strips that are easy to chew, similar to the thickness shown in the photo. (If your filefish is already cut, you can use it as is.)
Step 2
Before you start stir-frying, ensure the gas burner is off. Pour 4 tablespoons of cooking oil into a wok or a pan.
Step 3
Add the prepared dried filefish to the pan with the cooking oil. Since the heat is off, handle the filefish gently to avoid breaking it.
Step 4
Using a spatula or your hands, thoroughly mix the filefish with the oil until it’s evenly coated. This pre-coating step prevents the filefish from sticking to the pan and helps achieve a softer texture when cooked.
Step 5
Once the filefish is coated with oil, turn the heat to medium and begin to stir-fry. Cook the filefish until it becomes golden brown and looks appetizing. It’s a good idea to stir occasionally to prevent burning.
Step 6
When the filefish is nicely golden brown, carefully transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels or a colander. Let it drain to remove excess oil. This step ensures the stir-fry is not greasy and has a cleaner taste.
Step 7
Prepare the pan you used for stir-frying. If there’s a lot of oil remaining, use paper towels to wipe it clean, leaving only about 1 tablespoon of oil in the pan. This is done to help the sauce adhere well.
Step 8
Add the soy sauce (2 Tbsp), gochugaru (1 Tbsp), cooking wine (6 Tbsp), and minced garlic (1 Tbsp) to the pan with the remaining oil. (If you are making this for children and want to avoid spiciness, you can omit the gochugaru.) Turn the heat to medium and let the sauce simmer until it begins to bubble.
Step 9
Stir the sauce as it simmers to ensure the ingredients are well combined. Once the sauce comes to a rolling boil, reduce the heat to low. Add the drained dried filefish to the pan. Now it’s time to coat the filefish with the delicious sauce.
Step 10
While keeping the heat on low, use your spatula to thoroughly mix and coat the filefish with the sauce. Ensure the sauce evenly coats every piece, clinging to the filefish.
Step 11
Once the sauce has penetrated the filefish and it looks glossy, turn off the heat. Be careful not to overcook, as this can make the dried filefish tough.
Step 12
Finally, stir in the corn syrup or oligosaccharide (2 Tbsp) for added sweetness and gloss, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds (1 Tbsp) for a nutty aroma. Mix well to combine everything. Your delicious dried filefish stir-fry is ready! Enjoy your meal.
