Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Squid (Ojingeo Bokkeum) – Kim Soo-mi Style
Kim Soo-mi’s Flavorful Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Squid Recipe
Introducing Kim Soo-mi’s special recipe for stir-fried squid, a delightful combination of chewy squid and crisp vegetables. Make restaurant-quality Ojingeo Bokkeum at home!
Main Ingredients
- 3 cleaned squids
- 1/2 onion
- 1/4 carrot
- 1 stalk green onion
- 1 Korean green chili pepper
- 1/4 cup water
Spicy and Sweet Sauce
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare and clean 2-3 fresh squids. Many markets now sell pre-cleaned squid, making cooking more convenient. I used cuttlefish for its chewy texture and excellent flavor. Cut the cleaned squid into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm.
Step 2
Prepare the vegetables by cutting them into similar lengths. Thinly slice the onion. Cut the carrot and green onion into relatively large pieces, about 0.5 cm thick. Slant-cut the Korean green chili pepper for a bit of heat.
Step 3
Make the spicy and sweet sauce for the stir-fried squid. In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp gochujang, 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 3 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Let the sauce rest for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to deepen.
Step 4
Take half of the prepared sauce and mix it with the squid pieces. Gently massage the sauce into the squid to marinate.
Step 5
Add the remaining sauce to the prepared vegetables (onion, carrot, green onion, chili pepper) and mix them together. Marinating the vegetables separately helps maintain their crispness.
Step 6
Combine the marinated squid and vegetables. If you prefer a spicier flavor, you can add an additional tablespoon of gochugaru at this stage (optional).
Step 7
Heat a pan over medium heat. Add all the marinated ingredients to the pan and pour in 1/4 cup of water. Stir-fry over high heat for about 2-3 minutes. High heat is crucial to keep the squid tender and prevent it from becoming rubbery.
Step 8
Once the squid is fully cooked, turn off the heat. Finish by drizzling in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil and sprinkling a bit of toasted sesame seeds. The nutty aroma of sesame oil and seeds enhances the overall flavor.
Step 9
Enjoy your delicious Kim Soo-mi style stir-fried squid! It’s perfect served with a bowl of hot rice.
