Spicy and Sweet Braised Chicken Feet (Gukmul Dakbal)
Spicy and Sweet Braised Chicken Feet (Gukmul Dakbal)
How to Make Delicious Gukmul Dakbal with Bone-in Chicken Feet at Home
Gukmul Dakbal, a perfect snack to enjoy with drinks! This recipe uses a special sauce to braise the chicken feet until tender, allowing the bones to slip out easily. Enjoy this soft and flavorful dish at home!
Main Ingredients- 800g fresh chicken feet
- 4 bay leaves
- 1 cup soju (Korean rice wine)
- 1L water
Spicy & Sweet Sauce- 4 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2.5 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp maesilcheong (Korean plum extract)
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp chicken stock (or chicken broth)
- 1/2 onion
- Pinch of black pepper
- 4 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2.5 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp maesilcheong (Korean plum extract)
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp chicken stock (or chicken broth)
- 1/2 onion
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 800g of fresh chicken feet. Rinse them thoroughly under running water multiple times to remove any dirt or debris. Make sure to clean the surface meticulously; this initial step is crucial for a delicious final dish.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare to boil the chicken feet. In a deep pot, add enough water (about 1 liter) to fully submerge the chicken feet. Add 4 bay leaves to help eliminate any gamey odor and 1 cup of soju. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
Step 3
Once the water starts boiling vigorously, use a skimmer or spoon to carefully remove any foam or impurities that rise to the surface. This step ensures a cleaner and more refined broth. Continue to boil the chicken feet for about 20 minutes until they are tender and cooked through.
Step 4
After boiling, drain the chicken feet and rinse them one by one under cold running water. This thorough rinsing helps to remove any remaining fat or impurities, resulting in a cleaner taste and appearance.
Step 5
The key to delicious Gukmul Dakbal lies in the sauce! In a large bowl, combine 4 Tbsp gochugaru, 0.5 Tbsp minced fresh ginger, a generous 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 0.5 Tbsp doenjang for savory depth, 2.5 Tbsp sugar for sweetness, 2 Tbsp soy sauce for saltiness, 2 Tbsp maesilcheong for a fruity tang, 2 Tbsp oyster sauce for umami, and 1 Tbsp chicken stock (or chicken broth) for richness. Lastly, add a pinch of black pepper. Mix all the ingredients well until thoroughly combined.
Step 6
Now it’s time to braise the chicken feet. Place the cleaned chicken feet in a wide, deep pan or pot. Add 1 liter of water, the prepared sauce, and 1/2 onion that has been pureed in a blender. Blending the onion adds a wonderful sweetness and smoother texture to the broth.
Step 7
Bring everything to a boil over high heat, allowing the flavors to meld. Once boiling, maintain high heat for about 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer gently for about 1 hour. During this slow simmering process, the collagen from the chicken feet will break down, making them incredibly tender, and the sauce will penetrate deeply, infusing them with flavor. Remember to skim off any foam that appears during simmering to keep the broth clear and free of off-flavors.
Step 8
After simmering for about an hour, the sauce should have reduced to a rich, glossy consistency. This is the perfect stage for dipping the chicken feet or mixing with rice. If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer for a bit longer; if you like more broth, reduce the simmering time. Adjust the seasoning and consistency to your personal preference for the best taste.
Step 9
Finally, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. A final sprinkle of black pepper will enhance the aroma and flavor. Your delicious Gukmul Dakbal is now ready to be enjoyed! Serve hot and savor the spicy, sweet, and tender chicken feet. Don’t forget to mix the remaining sauce with rice or noodles for another delightful meal!
