Spicy and Sweet Stir-Fried Pork with a Smoky Flavor (Jeyuk Bokkeum)
Spicy and Sweet Stir-Fried Pork with a Smoky Flavor (Jeyuk Bokkeum)
When You’ve Lost Your Appetite, Make This Spicy and Sweet Jeyuk Bokkeum – A Rice Thief!
Today, I’m sharing a recipe for Jeyuk Bokkeum that’s bursting with spicy and sweet flavors! The subtle smoky aroma makes it an irresistible dish that will have you devouring bowls of rice. It’s a perfect home-cooked meal for any occasion, not just special days!
Main Ingredients- Pork shoulder or belly, 500g (sliced for stir-frying)
- Fresh ginger, 1 knuckle (about the size of your thumb)
- Korean green chili peppers (Cheongyang), 3 pcs (add more for extra spice)
- Scallions, 2 stalks (use both white and green parts)
Spicy and Sweet Marinade- Soy sauce (regular or soup soy sauce), 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (rice wine), 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic, 1 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste), 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), 1 Tbsp
- Sugar, 1 Tbsp
- Corn syrup or oligosaccharide, 1 Tbsp
- Soju (Korean rice liquor), 2 Tbsp (to remove odor and enhance flavor)
- Black pepper, 1/2 tsp (freshly ground pepper is best for aroma)
- Fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance), 1.5 Tbsp (for umami)
- Sesame oil, 1 Tbsp (for finishing aroma)
- Soy sauce (regular or soup soy sauce), 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (rice wine), 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic, 1 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste), 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), 1 Tbsp
- Sugar, 1 Tbsp
- Corn syrup or oligosaccharide, 1 Tbsp
- Soju (Korean rice liquor), 2 Tbsp (to remove odor and enhance flavor)
- Black pepper, 1/2 tsp (freshly ground pepper is best for aroma)
- Fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance), 1.5 Tbsp (for umami)
- Sesame oil, 1 Tbsp (for finishing aroma)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gently pat the 500g of pork dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Grate the ginger knuckle finely or mince it. In a large bowl, combine the pork, ginger juice (or minced ginger), 2 Tbsp mirin, and 2 Tbsp soju. Mix well by hand and let it marinate for 30 minutes. This step helps to eliminate any porky odor and tenderize the meat.
Step 2
To the marinated pork, add the marinade ingredients: 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp sugar, and 1 Tbsp corn syrup. Mix thoroughly. Finely chop the 3 Cheongyang chili peppers, removing the seeds if you prefer less heat, and add them to the mixture. This will add a nice spicy kick.
Step 3
Next, add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic to the bowl. The garlic flavor will blend beautifully with the pork, creating a richer taste. Ensure all the seasonings are evenly distributed by mixing everything together with your hands again.
Step 4
Finally, drizzle in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil and add freshly ground black pepper to your liking. The peppery aroma will elevate the overall flavor of the Jeyuk Bokkeum. For an even better taste, you can let the seasoned pork rest in the refrigerator for a while longer.
Step 5
Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork and stir-fry quickly, breaking up any clumps with chopsticks or a spatula. Cook until the pork is no longer pink and the edges are lightly browned. Once the pork is mostly cooked, it’s time to add the smoky flavor.
Step 6
Now for the smoky finish! Prepare a grill rack and spread the seasoned pork thinly and evenly on it. Place it over high heat for about 1-2 minutes, flipping occasionally, to achieve a direct-grilled (fire-kissed) flavor. Be careful not to burn it; a short, intense exposure to direct flame is key. Serve this smoky Jeyuk Bokkeum with fresh lettuce wraps for an incredibly delicious meal!
