Step 1

First, in a dry pan over medium heat, toast the anchovies without any oil until they become crispy. Once they are nicely crisped, add a little cooking oil and stir-fry once more. Set the fried anchovies aside in a separate bowl as we will be stir-frying the sauce next.

Step 2

In a small bowl, combine all the prepared sauce ingredients: gochujang, soy sauce, sugar, corn syrup, and minced garlic. Mix them thoroughly to create the seasoning sauce. Pre-mixing the sauce makes the cooking process much smoother.

Step 3

Pour the pre-mixed sauce into the pan (where you will be adding the anchovies later). Cook the sauce over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning. Let it simmer gently until it slightly thickens.

Step 4

Once the gochujang sauce begins to bubble, add the crispy-fried anchovies to the pan. Continue to stir-fry over low heat, coating the anchovies evenly with the sauce. Gently toss them with a spatula, ensuring they don’t break apart, until the sauce is well absorbed.

Step 5

Finally, sprinkle in plenty of toasted sesame seeds and mix well. Your delicious Gochujang Anchovy Stir-fry is complete!

*Tip: If you prefer a softer texture rather than a very crispy one, try adding 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise at the very end of cooking. This will make the anchovy stir-fry much softer and add a different dimension of flavor.*

Step 6

And there you have it – a super simple rice-thief side dish, the sweet and crispy ‘Gochujang Anchovy Stir-fry’. It looks appetizing just to gaze at.

Step 7

Take a bite with a spoonful of warm rice, and the spicy, sweet, and crispy flavors will fill your mouth, making you want to finish the whole bowl! When you’re wondering what side dish to make, try this simple yet nutritious ‘Gochujang Anchovy Stir-fry’ for a satisfying and delicious meal!