Simple & Chewy Pan-Fried Fish Cakes (Eomuk Bokkeum)
Simple & Chewy Pan-Fried Fish Cakes (Eomuk Bokkeum)
#SideDish #FishCakeRecipe #EomukBokkeum #SoySauceFishCakes #RiceDish #EasyCooking #AlcoholPairing
Running out of side dishes? It’s time to make a big batch of everyone’s favorite! This recipe focuses on pan-frying fish cakes rather than braising, resulting in a less oily and mildly seasoned dish that’s perfect as a snack with drinks or a not-too-salty side for rice. Learn the simple trick of mixing oil and water while stir-frying to achieve a wonderfully chewy texture and delicious flavor.
Main Ingredients- 480g Square fish cakes
- 3 Tbsp Soy sauce (or Guk-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp Ttuyu (fish sauce or can substitute with soy sauce)
- 3 Tbsp Corn syrup (or adjust sweetness)
- 2 Tbsp Water
- 2 Tbsp Cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your square fish cakes. A standard 480g pack of square fish cakes is a good amount.
Step 2
Heat a pan over medium-low heat without adding any oil. Add the fish cakes and stir-fry. Dry-frying helps remove excess oil from the fish cakes and enhances their chewy texture. Cook for about 2-3 minutes.
Step 3
Once the fish cakes start to look slightly golden, add 3 Tbsp of soy sauce, 1 Tbsp of Ttuyu (if you don’t have Ttuyu, regular soy sauce works, but Ttuyu adds a deeper umami flavor), and 3 Tbsp of corn syrup. Stir-fry until glossy. You can adjust the amount of corn syrup based on your preferred sweetness.
Step 4
Now, add 2 Tbsp of cooking oil to the pan with the fish cakes and continue stir-frying. The oil will coat the fish cakes and sauce, adding a richer, more savory flavor. Next, add 2 Tbsp of water and quickly stir everything together. The water helps prevent the sauce from burning and keeps the fish cakes moist yet chewy. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until everything is well combined. That’s it for the basic cooking steps – it’s really that simple!
Step 5
Transfer the perfectly stir-fried fish cakes to a storage container. You now have a delicious homemade side dish ready to be enjoyed anytime. This mildly seasoned, addictively chewy fish cake stir-fry is incredibly satisfying. It’s wonderful served over freshly steamed rice or as a perfect accompaniment to a cold beer or soju!
