Spicy and Sweet Stir-Fried Pork (Jeyuk Bokkeum)
The Ultimate Guide to Making Delicious Jeyuk Bokkeum at Home
Learn how to make a hearty and flavorful Jeyuk Bokkeum, a beloved Korean spicy stir-fried pork dish, right in your own kitchen! This recipe uses a perfect balance of pork shoulder and neck for a tender yet chewy texture, combined with fresh vegetables and a rich, spicy-sweet sauce. We’re sharing our generous family recipe, perfect for sharing with loved ones. Get ready for an unforgettable meal that’s sure to become a dinner favorite!
Main Ingredients
- Pork Shoulder 600g
- Pork Neck 600g
- Onions 2 medium
- King Oyster Mushrooms 2
- Carrot 1/2
- Green Onion 1 stalk (mainly white part)
Spicy & Sweet Sauce Ingredients
- Stevia 2 Tbsp (adjust sweetness as preferred)
- Soy Sauce 4 Tbsp (for umami)
- Fine Gochugaru (Korean chili powder) 4 Tbsp (for spiciness and color)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 4 Tbsp (for depth of flavor)
- Minced Garlic 4 Tbsp (generous amount for flavor)
- Ginger (cubed) 3 pieces or Minced Ginger 1/2 Tbsp (to remove pork odor)
- Soju or Cooking Wine 4 Tbsp (to remove odor and tenderize meat)
- Black Pepper 1/2 Tbsp
- Oligodang (corn syrup) or Honey 3 Tbsp (for gloss and sweetness)
- Sesame Oil 4 Tbsp (for nutty aroma)
- Toasted Sesame Seeds 2 Tbsp (for garnish and flavor)
- Stevia 2 Tbsp (adjust sweetness as preferred)
- Soy Sauce 4 Tbsp (for umami)
- Fine Gochugaru (Korean chili powder) 4 Tbsp (for spiciness and color)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 4 Tbsp (for depth of flavor)
- Minced Garlic 4 Tbsp (generous amount for flavor)
- Ginger (cubed) 3 pieces or Minced Ginger 1/2 Tbsp (to remove pork odor)
- Soju or Cooking Wine 4 Tbsp (to remove odor and tenderize meat)
- Black Pepper 1/2 Tbsp
- Oligodang (corn syrup) or Honey 3 Tbsp (for gloss and sweetness)
- Sesame Oil 4 Tbsp (for nutty aroma)
- Toasted Sesame Seeds 2 Tbsp (for garnish and flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start with the star of our dish: the pork! Prepare 600g of pork shoulder and 600g of pork neck. Using a mix of these two cuts ensures a delightful balance of tenderness and chewiness, making the Jeyuk Bokkeum extra satisfying.
Step 2
Next, prepare the vegetables. Wash and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Slice 2 onions thickly, and cut 2 king oyster mushrooms into thick batons. Julienne 1/2 carrot coarsely, and cut 1 green onion into 4cm lengths. (Optional: For extra heat, thinly slice 2-3 Korean green chili peppers.)
Step 3
Now, let’s create the heart of the Jeyuk Bokkeum – the special sauce! Get your measuring cups and spoons ready to accurately measure out the following ingredients.
Step 4
In a large bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients: 2 Tbsp Stevia, 4 Tbsp Soy Sauce, 4 Tbsp Gochugaru, 4 Tbsp Gochujang, 4 Tbsp Minced Garlic, 3 cubed Ginger pieces (or 1/2 Tbsp minced ginger), 4 Tbsp Soju, 1/2 Tbsp Black Pepper, and 3 Tbsp Oligodang. Whisk everything together with a spoon or whisk until well combined and smooth. Proper mixing ensures the sauce coats the pork evenly.
Step 5
Add the prepared pork shoulder and neck to the bowl with the sauce. Make sure the pork is well submerged in the marinade.
Step 6
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and let the pork marinate in the refrigerator or a cool place for at least 20 minutes. For an even richer flavor, marinating for about an hour will allow the sauce to penetrate the meat more deeply.
Step 7
If you’re adding Korean green chili peppers for extra spice, thinly slice 2-3 of them on an angle.
Step 8
Slice 2 onions into thick strips. This preparation method helps retain their texture and release natural sweetness when stir-fried.
Step 9
Coarsely julienne 1/2 carrot using a julienne peeler or a knife. This adds a beautiful color and a delightful crunch to the dish.
Step 10
Trim the ends of 2 king oyster mushrooms and cut them into thick, baton-like pieces. Their chewy texture complements the pork wonderfully.
Step 11
Cut 1 green onion into approximately 4cm lengths. This will be added towards the end for a fresh, aromatic finish.
Step 12
Now it’s time to stir-fry! Lightly oil a pan and add the marinated pork over medium heat. Stir occasionally, breaking up any clumps, until the pork is about 80% cooked through.
Step 13
Once the pork is mostly cooked, add the prepared king oyster mushrooms, carrots, onions, green chili peppers (if using), and green onions to the pan. Stir-fry over high heat for a few minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp, ensuring they retain their fresh crunch.
Step 14
As the sauce starts to thicken and coat the ingredients, just before turning off the heat, stir in 4 Tbsp of sesame oil and 2 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds. Adding them at the end preserves their fragrant aroma. Give everything a final toss, and your delicious Jeyuk Bokkeum is ready!
Step 15
Transfer the generously made Jeyuk Bokkeum to a serving plate or bowl. Enjoy this flavorful dish with a side of hot, steamed rice!
