Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Baby Octopus and Pork Belly
Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Baby Octopus and Pork Belly
Craving something spicy? Enjoy this Golden Recipe for Spicy Stir-fried Baby Octopus and Pork Belly!
Suddenly, I had a craving for stir-fried baby octopus and pork belly. While it’s not my usual go-to dish, making it at home when the craving strikes always leads to a more satisfying result than ordering takeout!
Main Ingredients- 1 pack (approx. 300-400g) prepared baby octopus
- 600g thinly sliced pork belly (samgyeopsal)
- 1 large green onion (scallion)
- 1 medium onion
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
Spicy and Sweet Sauce- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to spice preference)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp maesilcheong (Korean plum syrup)
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine for cooking)
- 1 Tbsp oligo당 (oligosaccharide) or corn syrup
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil (add at the end)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to spice preference)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp maesilcheong (Korean plum syrup)
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine for cooking)
- 1 Tbsp oligo당 (oligosaccharide) or corn syrup
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil (add at the end)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
** Preparing the Baby Octopus **: Gently open the head of the baby octopus and remove the innards. Then, use scissors or a knife to cut out the tough beak located between the tentacles. (If you’re squeamish, you can skip the visual part of this step!)
Step 2
Remove the transparent quill-like cartilage from inside the body of the octopus.
Step 3
Rinse the baby octopus thoroughly under running water.
Step 4
Place the rinsed octopus in a bowl and add 2-3 tablespoons of flour. Knead vigorously. This step is very effective for cleaning the suckers and removing any lingering debris. Rub them until they feel firm and clean.
Step 5
Rinse the octopus well to remove all the flour, then drain it in a colander.
Step 6
Cut the baby octopus into bite-sized pieces. If you cut them too small, they will shrink significantly when cooked, so aim for slightly larger than bite-sized pieces for a better texture.
Step 7
** Making the Sauce **: In a small bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients: gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, maesilcheong, mirin, oligo당, minced garlic, and black pepper. Mix well to create a delicious sauce. If you prefer a sweeter taste, feel free to add a little more oligo당.
Step 8
** Preparing the Vegetables **: Slice the green onion diagonally. Cut the onion into thick slices or strips. You can adjust the size of the vegetables according to your preference.
Step 9
** Stir-frying **: In a large bowl, combine the prepared baby octopus, thinly sliced pork belly, sliced onion, and green onion. Generously add the prepared sauce mixture.
Step 10
Using your hands, gently mix and coat all the ingredients evenly with the sauce. Ensure there are no clumps of sauce.
Step 11
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a large pan over high heat. Once the pan is hot, add all the marinated ingredients. Stir-fry quickly, being careful not to burn the sauce.
Step 12
Continue to stir-fry over high heat until the baby octopus is cooked through and plump, and the pork belly is lightly browned. Toss occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 13
Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in about half a tablespoon of sesame oil for an extra nutty aroma and flavor.
Step 14
Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for the final touch. Your delicious, spicy, and sweet stir-fried baby octopus and pork belly is now ready! It’s perfect as a side dish for rice or as a tasty accompaniment to drinks.
