Stir-fried Sea Tangle Ribs (Miyeok Julgi Bokkeum) – No Fishy Taste!
Stir-fried Sea Tangle Ribs (Miyeok Julgi Bokkeum) – No Fishy Taste!
Sumi’s Side Dish Recipe: How to Make Delicious Stir-fried Sea Tangle Ribs Like Kim Su-mi
This is one of my absolute favorite side dishes, Miyeok Julgi Bokkeum! Before I got married, my mom used to make it for me all the time… and this is my first time making it myself! When you order it at restaurants, it can be a real gamble – some are delicious, but others have a strong, unpleasant sea smell that makes them inedible, even though I love this dish. I heard that ‘Sumi’s Side Dish’ has a special way to make it without any fishy taste, so I decided to try it out! This recipe will guide you to make it perfectly.
Ingredients- Salted Sea Tangle Ribs: 400g
- Olive Oil: 3 Tbsp
- Plum Extract (Maesil Extract): 1 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic: 1/2 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce: 2 Tbsp
- Sesame Oil: 1 Tbsp
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: a pinch
- Onion: 1/4
- Green Onion: a little (scallion can be substituted)
- Carrot: a little
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Since this is my first time making Miyeok Julgi Bokkeum from scratch, I discovered that it comes salted. You absolutely must rinse off the excess salt before cooking! This step is crucial for removing any unpleasant fishy smell and for properly seasoning the dish.
Step 2
Rinse the salted sea tangle ribs thoroughly under cold running water. Then, soak them in fresh water for about 10 to 30 minutes to remove the saltiness. I tasted them periodically. After 10 minutes, they were still quite salty! So, I ended up soaking them for about 20 minutes. Adjust the soaking time based on your taste and how salty the tangle ribs are.
Step 3
While the sea tangle ribs are soaking to remove salt, prepare the vegetables for stir-frying. Thinly julienne the carrot for color – make sure the strips are long and thin. Slice the onion into similar-sized strips. The original ‘Sumi’s Side Dish’ recipe uses scallions, but I substituted with green onion since I had it on hand. If using green onion, thinly slice the white parts.
Step 4
Garlic adds a wonderful depth of flavor to stir-fries. Prepare about 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic. You can mince it finely or leave it a bit coarse, depending on your preference. Having it pre-minced will make the cooking process smoother.
Step 5
Once the saltiness has been sufficiently removed, drain the sea tangle ribs well using a colander. Then, use kitchen scissors to cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 5-7 cm long. This makes them easier to stir-fry and eat.
Step 6
One of the tips from ‘Sumi’s Side Dish’ is to use olive oil instead of regular cooking oil! Olive oil is excellent at neutralizing the fishy smell of the sea tangle. It also adds a lovely aroma and rich flavor, making it perfect for stir-fries. Heat a frying pan over medium heat, add a generous amount of olive oil, and then add the prepared sea tangle ribs. Stir-fry them until they start to soften and brown slightly. Make sure to stir and toss them evenly to prevent sticking.
Step 7
As the sea tangle ribs stir-fry, add the plum extract, minced garlic, and soy sauce. Continue stir-frying. The amount of soy sauce you need will depend on how well you desalted the ribs. Since I soaked mine for a longer time, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce wasn’t enough. I also like a hint of sweetness, so I added an extra tablespoon of plum extract. You can adjust these seasonings to your taste by sampling as you go. Stir well to ensure the ribs are evenly coated with the sauce.
Step 8
Continue to stir-fry until the fishy sea smell dissipates and the seasonings are well absorbed into the sea tangle ribs. Now, add the prepared vegetables (carrots, onion, and green onion) and stir-fry together until they are tender-crisp. Adding the vegetables really brings out the classic look of Miyeok Julgi Bokkeum!
Step 9
When the onions become translucent, the dish is almost ready. Just before turning off the heat, add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and a generous pinch of toasted sesame seeds for a glossy finish and nutty aroma. A key to delicious stir-fried sea tangle ribs is to mix and stir everything evenly while cooking. Enjoy your homemade side dish!
