Step 1

First, prepare all the ingredients for the dish. Wash the vegetables, pat them dry, and have the fish cakes ready.

Step 2

Now, let’s chop the vegetables. Slice the onion into strips about 1cm thick. Cut the green chili pepper and green onion diagonally. If you prefer less heat from the chili, you can remove the seeds before slicing.

Step 3

Cut the square fish cakes into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5cm wide. Cutting them too thin might cause them to break apart during stir-frying, so aim for a moderate thickness.

Step 4

Briefly blanch the fish cakes in boiling water for about 15 seconds. This step helps remove any impurities or excess oil from the fish cakes, resulting in a cleaner flavor and better texture.

Step 5

Immediately drain the blanched fish cakes using a colander. Ensure excess water is removed, as too much moisture can prevent the seasoning from absorbing properly during the stir-fry.

Step 6

Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning sauce. In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp cooking wine, 1 Tbsp oligodang, 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 1/3 Tbsp sugar, 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir well with a spoon to ensure there are no clumps.

Step 7

Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onion and drained fish cakes. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes until the onions become slightly translucent and the fish cakes are lightly browned. Stir-frying the vegetables first helps to enhance their natural sweetness.

Step 8

Pour the prepared seasoning sauce over the fish cakes and onions. Stir continuously, ensuring the fish cakes don’t burn, for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients with a glossy sheen. Keep stirring to prevent sticking.

Step 9

Finally, add the chopped green onion and green chili pepper. Stir-fry for just another 30 seconds to 1 minute, allowing the flavors to meld. Be careful not to overcook, as this will soften the vegetables too much and diminish their crispness!

Step 10

Turn off the heat. Drizzle in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for added aroma and sprinkle a pinch of toasted sesame seeds for garnish. Your simple yet incredibly flavorful Spicy Stir-Fried Fish Cakes are now ready!

Step 11