Spam and Potato Stew: A Savory Korean Side Dish
Spam and Potato Stew: A Savory Korean Side Dish
Delicious Braised Spam and Potatoes (Spam Gamja Jorim)
Enjoy this delightful Korean side dish, ‘Spam Gamja Jorim,’ featuring tender potatoes and savory Spam braised in a flavorful sauce. It’s a perfect accompaniment to rice!
Main Ingredients- 2 medium potatoes
- 1/2 can Spam (approx. 100g)
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1/2 paper cup water (approx. 100ml)
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (e.g., Mirin)
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or rice syrup
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (e.g., Mirin)
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or rice syrup
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash and peel the potatoes. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm cubes. Cutting them into larger pieces helps prevent them from breaking apart during cooking and maintains a good texture.
Step 2
Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water for about 10 minutes to remove excess starch. This step helps to keep the braising liquid clear and gives the potatoes a firmer texture. After soaking, rinse them thoroughly with fresh water and drain them in a colander.
Step 3
Cut the canned Spam into pieces similar in size to the potatoes. To remove excess grease and impurities, briefly blanch the Spam in boiling water. This will result in a cleaner taste. Drain the blanched Spam.
Step 4
Slice the onion into pieces roughly the same size as the potatoes and Spam. Avoid slicing them too thinly, as they can become mushy during cooking.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the delicious braising sauce. In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, 1 Tbsp corn syrup, 1/2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well until the sauce is evenly combined. Pre-mixing the sauce makes the cooking process smoother.
Step 6
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a little cooking oil. Add the drained potatoes and stir-fry for about 3 minutes. The goal is to lightly coat the potatoes with oil and get them slightly golden. This helps them hold their shape and adds flavor.
Step 7
Add the sliced Spam to the pan with the potatoes. Continue to stir-fry until the Spam pieces are lightly browned and slightly crispy.
Step 8
Once the Spam is starting to brown, add the sliced onions to the pan. Stir everything together for about 1 minute, just until the onions begin to soften and turn translucent.
Step 9
Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the ingredients in the pan. Add the 1/2 paper cup of water (about 100ml). Stir everything well to ensure the sauce coats all the ingredients.
Step 10
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the potatoes to start absorbing the sauce.
Step 11
Remove the lid. Lower the heat to low and continue to simmer, allowing the sauce to reduce. Periodically spoon the braising liquid over the potatoes and Spam to ensure even flavoring.
Step 12
Simmer until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. It’s best to leave a little bit of sauce remaining, as it’s delicious spooned over rice.
Step 13
Just before turning off the heat, stir in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for added aroma. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty finish. Your delicious Spam and Potato Stew is ready! Serve hot with rice.
