Spicy-Sweet Stir-Fried Fish Cakes and Korean Hot Peppers
Simple Side Dish: Stir-Fried Fish Cakes with Korean Hot Peppers
A quick and easy side dish featuring the delightful combination of chewy fish cakes and mildly spicy Korean hot peppers. This dish offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a hint of spiciness, making it an irresistible accompaniment to any meal. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, ready in about 5 minutes, ideal for busy days.
Main Ingredients
- 2 sheets of square fish cakes (or your preferred type)
- 150g Korean hot peppers (Ggari-gosechu)
Seasoning Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (Korean tablespoon)
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (Korean tablespoon)
- 2.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (Korean tablespoon)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (Corn syrup/sweetener) (Korean tablespoon)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (Korean tablespoon)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic (Korean tablespoon)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (Korean tablespoon)
- A pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (Korean tablespoon)
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (Korean tablespoon)
- 2.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (Korean tablespoon)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (Corn syrup/sweetener) (Korean tablespoon)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (Korean tablespoon)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic (Korean tablespoon)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (Korean tablespoon)
- A pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the Korean hot peppers thoroughly under running water and remove the stems. For an extra clean touch, you can soak them in water with 1 tablespoon of vinegar for about 5 minutes before rinsing. If the peppers are quite large, cut them in half or into bite-sized pieces. While delicious when left whole, cutting them ensures the sauce penetrates better.
Step 2
Prepare the square fish cakes. Using thicker fish cakes will provide a more satisfying chewy texture. Cut them into your desired shapes, such as squares or rectangles.
Step 3
Let’s make the delicious sauce! In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, 2.5 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp oligodang, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil. Mix everything well. (All measurements are based on a Korean tablespoon.)
Step 4
Heat a little cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Optionally, add some chopped green onions and stir-fry briefly until fragrant. This adds an extra layer of flavor. Then, add the cut fish cakes and the prepared Korean hot peppers. Stir-fry them together over medium heat for a short while.
Step 5
Once the fish cakes and peppers are slightly cooked, pour in the prepared seasoning sauce. Reduce the heat to low to prevent the sauce from burning. Gently stir-fry to coat all the ingredients evenly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the peppers are tender to your liking, then turn off the heat. Be careful not to overcook, as the peppers can lose their pleasant crunch.
Step 6
Finally, transfer the stir-fried dish to a serving plate. Sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty aroma and flavor. This dish is fantastic served over warm rice as a donburi or as a staple side dish. Enjoy your meal!
