Stir-Fried Eggplant with Oyster Sauce: A Flavorful Rice Topping Recipe
Stir-Fried Eggplant with Oyster Sauce: A Flavorful Rice Topping Recipe
How to Make Stir-Fried Eggplant with Savory Oyster Sauce and Onions
This is a delicious stir-fried eggplant dish made with oyster sauce and onions. It’s not only a great side dish (banchan) but also incredibly tasty served over rice as a donburi-style meal. The combination of tender eggplant, sweet onions, and savory oyster sauce creates a delightful flavor profile that’s perfect for any meal. Even beginners can easily follow this recipe!
Main Ingredients- 1 medium eggplant
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1/5 stalk of green onion (scallion)
- 1 Korean chili pepper (adjust to spice preference)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the flavorful sauce for your stir-fried eggplant. In a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce.
Step 2
Next, add 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce to enhance the savory depth. Oyster sauce is key to elevating the umami in this dish.
Step 3
For a touch of sweetness, add 1 tablespoon of oligosaccharide (or corn syrup). Using this instead of sugar can add a nice sheen and smooth texture.
Step 4
Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic for a fragrant aroma. Don’t be shy with the garlic – it adds great flavor!
Step 5
Now, add 1 tablespoon of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) for a hint of spice and vibrant color. Feel free to adjust the amount according to your preference.
Step 6
Using a spatula or spoon, mix all the seasoning ingredients together thoroughly until well combined. Having the sauce pre-mixed makes the cooking process much smoother.
Step 7
Now, let’s prepare the main ingredients. Wash the eggplant, remove the stems, and slice it diagonally or into half-moons, about 0.7cm thick. Slice the onion thinly, and chop the green onion. Finely mince the Korean chili pepper. (You can omit or reduce the chili pepper if you prefer less spice.)
Step 8
Heat your frying pan over medium heat and add about 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Add the chopped green onions first and stir-fry over low heat until fragrant. This process infuses the oil with a delicious scallion aroma, creating ‘scallion oil’ which significantly deepens the flavor of the dish.
Step 9
Once the scallion oil is fragrant, add the sliced eggplant, onion, and chili pepper to the pan. Stir-fry over medium heat until the eggplant becomes slightly translucent and the onions soften. Be careful not to overcook the eggplant, as it can become too mushy.
Step 10
When the vegetables are partially cooked, pour in all the prepared sauce. Quickly stir everything together to ensure the sauce coats all the ingredients evenly. Continue to stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and clings to the vegetables. Once it reaches this point, turn off the heat. Your delicious stir-fried eggplant is ready to be enjoyed!
