Spicy and Sweet Dakgalbi
Spicy and Sweet Dakgalbi
The Ultimate Golden Recipe for Dakgalbi at Home
Today, I’m sharing the ultimate golden recipe for delicious, spicy, and sweet Dakgalbi! This dish features tender chicken thigh meat and a flavorful sauce that creates an incredibly savory and delicious experience. Making this Dakgalbi recipe is easier than you think! It’s a true rice thief, so shall we all make some Dakgalbi together?
Main Ingredients- Chicken thigh meat (boneless, skinless) 1kg: This is the key ingredient for tender and flavorful Dakgalbi. Remove any excess skin or fat and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Cabbage 1/4 head: Adds sweetness and a satisfying crunch. Chop it into large pieces.
- Carrot 1/2: Provides a crunchy texture and vibrant color. Julienne it thinly.
- Perilla leaves (Kkaennip) 10 leaves: These aromatic leaves elevate the flavor of Dakgalbi. Chop them roughly.
- Onion 1: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor. Slice it into thick strips.
- Sweet potato 1-2: Contributes sweetness and a soft texture. They become wonderfully delicious when cooked with the Dakgalbi! Slicing them about 1cm thick ensures they cook through.
- Tteokbokki rice cakes: As much as you like. Their chewy texture is a perfect match for Dakgalbi. Cut them in half to make them easier to eat.
- Cheongyang chili peppers 3: Add spiciness if you like it hot. Adjust the amount to your preference. Slice them thinly.
- Green onion 1/2: Adds a fresh flavor and aroma. Slice it diagonally.
Special Sauce- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 6 Tbsp: The base for spiciness and umami.
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 5 Tbsp: Adds depth to the spiciness. You can use a mix of fine and coarse flakes.
- Plum extract or sugar 2 Tbsp: Provides a subtle sweetness and shine. Plum extract adds a richer flavor.
- Curry powder 2 Tbsp: A secret ingredient to enhance the flavor of Dakgalbi! It adds a unique aroma and umami.
- Soy sauce 1 Tbsp: Adds saltiness and a deep flavor.
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp: The pungent aroma and taste of garlic enhance the sauce’s flavor.
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp: Adds a nutty aroma, completing the dish.
- Black pepper 2 pinches: Removes any gamey smell and adds to the flavor.
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 6 Tbsp: The base for spiciness and umami.
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 5 Tbsp: Adds depth to the spiciness. You can use a mix of fine and coarse flakes.
- Plum extract or sugar 2 Tbsp: Provides a subtle sweetness and shine. Plum extract adds a richer flavor.
- Curry powder 2 Tbsp: A secret ingredient to enhance the flavor of Dakgalbi! It adds a unique aroma and umami.
- Soy sauce 1 Tbsp: Adds saltiness and a deep flavor.
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp: The pungent aroma and taste of garlic enhance the sauce’s flavor.
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp: Adds a nutty aroma, completing the dish.
- Black pepper 2 pinches: Removes any gamey smell and adds to the flavor.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash and prepare all the ingredients for your delicious Dakgalbi. Chopping the vegetables into bite-sized pieces beforehand will help speed up the cooking process.
Step 2
Rinse the chicken thigh meat under running water. Remove any excess skin or fat. Then, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4 cm) so that the sauce can marinate well.
Step 3
In a bowl, combine all the ‘Special Sauce’ ingredients: gochujang, gochugaru, plum extract (or sugar), curry powder, soy sauce, minced garlic, sesame oil, and black pepper. Mix them thoroughly until smooth to create your delicious Dakgalbi sauce. The ratio of these ingredients is crucial for the final taste!
Step 4
Pour the prepared sauce generously over the seasoned chicken thigh meat. Use your hands (wearing gloves is recommended for hygiene and ease) to gently massage the sauce into the chicken, ensuring every piece is well-coated.
Step 5
While you can cook the marinated chicken immediately, allowing it to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes will allow the flavors to deepen, resulting in a much tastier dish. If time permits, refrigerating it will enhance the flavor penetration. You can even marinate a larger batch and store it for future meals!
Step 6
Now, let’s prepare the vegetables to go with the Dakgalbi. Thinly slice the Cheongyang chili peppers for a spicy kick. Chop the cabbage into large pieces; cutting it too small can make it mushy during cooking. Aim for a size that maintains some crunch.
Step 7
Roughly chop the fragrant perilla leaves and slice the green onions diagonally for a fresh flavor. Adding perilla leaves towards the end is key to preserving their aroma!
Step 8
Cut the chewy tteokbokki rice cakes in half. Slice the carrot thinly into julienne strips for color and crunch.
Step 9
Slice the sweet potato and onion. Since sweet potatoes take longer to cook than other ingredients, slice them thinly (about 0.5 cm thick) to ensure they cook through evenly with the Dakgalbi. If they are too thick, they might remain hard.
Step 10
Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken thigh meat and all the prepared vegetables (cabbage, carrot, onion, sweet potato, rice cakes, chili peppers, green onion), except for the perilla leaves. Stir-fry for about 4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften slightly.
Step 11
Now, add the fragrant perilla leaves to the pan and continue to stir-fry over medium heat for another 2 minutes. Perilla leaves lose their aroma if cooked for too long, so adding them near the end is best. Cook until the chicken thigh meat is fully cooked through. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces, so check for doneness periodically.
Step 12
Once the chicken is fully cooked and all ingredients are well combined, your Dakgalbi is ready! Heat control is important: stir-frying over high heat can burn the sauce and cook the chicken unevenly. It’s best to maintain medium heat to ensure everything cooks evenly. Continue stir-frying until the chicken is cooked and the sauce has reduced slightly.
Step 13
Finally, sprinkle some sesame seeds over the finished Dakgalbi. The nutty sesame seeds will enhance the overall flavor. Enjoy your visually appealing and delicious spicy and sweet Dakgalbi!
