Spicy & Sweet Stir-Fried Octopus Rice Bowl Recipe
Spicy & Sweet Stir-Fried Octopus Rice Bowl Recipe
A Flavorful Octopus Rice Bowl with Tender Octopus and Fresh Vegetables
Indulge in this delicious stir-fried octopus rice bowl, featuring tender, chewy octopus coated in a savory and spicy sauce, piled generously over a bed of fluffy rice! The combination of fresh vegetables and crisp bean sprouts creates a wonderfully textured and satisfying meal. This recipe will guide you to create a restaurant-quality dish right in your own kitchen. It’s perfect for special occasions or when you need a flavorful pick-me-up.
Main Ingredients- 500g prepared octopus (If using frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight)
- 200g bean sprouts
- 1 handful lettuce
- 4 servings cooked rice
Vegetables- 1/5 carrot (thinly julienned)
- 1/2 onion (thinly julienned)
- 3 leaves napa cabbage (thinly julienned)
- 3 Korean red chili peppers (adjust to spice preference, finely chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
- 1/5 carrot (thinly julienned)
- 1/2 onion (thinly julienned)
- 3 leaves napa cabbage (thinly julienned)
- 3 Korean red chili peppers (adjust to spice preference, finely chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
If you’re using frozen octopus, transfer it to the refrigerator the night before you plan to cook. This slow thawing method helps preserve the octopus’s fresh texture and flavor. Pre-prepared octopus will save you extra time.
Step 2
Rinse the thawed octopus gently under running water to prepare it for cooking.
Step 3
Prepare your vegetables. Thinly julienne the carrot, onion, and napa cabbage. If you enjoy a spicier dish, use all 3 Korean red chili peppers; otherwise, adjust the quantity to your liking. Finely chop them. Slice the garlic cloves thinly.
Step 4
Fill a large pot with plenty of water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the octopus and stir briefly. Remove the octopus as soon as it curls up (overcooking will make it tough!).
Step 5
Immediately rinse the blanched octopus under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. This step is crucial for maintaining its chewy texture.
Step 6
Prepare the washed bean sprouts. Keeping them crisp is key to a delightful texture.
Step 7
In another pot, bring a generous amount of water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the washed bean sprouts…
Step 8
… and gently stir them with a spatula to ensure they cook evenly.
Step 9
Boil the bean sprouts for about 2 minutes, just until they are crisp-tender. Be careful not to overcook, as they will become mushy.
Step 10
Drain the cooked bean sprouts in a colander and rinse them under cold water. This helps them retain their crispness. Drain them well.
Step 11
Now, let’s make the octopus seasoning. In a large bowl, combine 5 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp sugar (or your preferred sweetener), 1 Tbsp corn syrup, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and 1/3 Tbsp minced ginger. Mix well. Taste and adjust the levels of spiciness, sweetness, and saltiness to suit your personal preference. (A helpful tip: the octopus itself can be slightly salty, so taste as you adjust the seasoning.)
Step 12
Add the drained, blanched octopus to the bowl with the prepared seasoning…
Step 13
… and gently toss to coat the octopus evenly with the sauce. Letting it marinate for about 10 minutes will allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 14
Time to stir-fry! Heat 3 Tbsp of cooking oil in a large pan or wok over high heat until it’s very hot. Add all the julienned carrots, onions, napa cabbage, sliced garlic, and chopped chili peppers. Stir-fry quickly over high heat to keep the vegetables crisp and flavorful.
Step 15
Once the vegetables have slightly softened, add all the marinated octopus to the pan. Continue to stir-fry over high heat until everything is well combined. Stir-fry briskly to ensure the octopus and vegetables are perfectly cooked. (Watch out for burning if the heat is too high!)
Step 16
When all ingredients are nicely stir-fried, turn off the heat. Drizzle with the remaining 1 Tbsp of sesame oil and give everything a final mix. This adds a wonderful nutty aroma.
Step 17
To serve, place a bed of fresh lettuce on top of warm cooked rice. Spoon a generous portion of the stir-fried octopus over the lettuce. Add the crisp blanched bean sprouts on the side for extra texture. Mix the octopus and rice together and enjoy!
Step 18
After enjoying your delicious octopus rice bowl, we recommend having some fruit to refresh your palate. (Please serve the fruit separately on a dish.)
