Sweet and Savory Soy Sauce Marinated Pork Bulgogi Recipe
Sweet and Savory Soy Sauce Marinated Pork Bulgogi Recipe
Bangukotukji Cooking #24: Easy and Delicious Soy Sauce Bulgogi – Perfect for Kids!
Today, I’m sharing a recipe for a wonderfully tender and flavorful soy sauce bulgogi that’s perfect for your kids’ lunchboxes or any family meal!^^ It’s surprisingly simple: just marinate the meat in a savory-sweet sauce and grill it. Let’s discover how to make this crowd-pleaser together!^^
Main Ingredients- 600g Pork (Pork shoulder or neck cut, sliced thinly for bulgogi, is recommended)
Delicious Marinade- 10 Tbsp Soy Sauce (approx. 10/16 of a paper cup)
- 10 Tbsp Water (approx. 10/16 of a paper cup)
- 5 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to your sweetness preference)
- 5 Tbsp Minced Garlic (feel free to add more if you love garlic flavor!)
- 3 Tbsp Maesil Cheong (Plum Extract/Syrup – tenderizes the meat and adds depth)
- 2-3 Tbsp Grated Onion (grating onion enhances sweetness and umami)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds (for nutty flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Black Pepper (essential for removing any gamey odor!)
- 15cm Green Onion (finely chopped)
- 10 Tbsp Soy Sauce (approx. 10/16 of a paper cup)
- 10 Tbsp Water (approx. 10/16 of a paper cup)
- 5 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to your sweetness preference)
- 5 Tbsp Minced Garlic (feel free to add more if you love garlic flavor!)
- 3 Tbsp Maesil Cheong (Plum Extract/Syrup – tenderizes the meat and adds depth)
- 2-3 Tbsp Grated Onion (grating onion enhances sweetness and umami)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds (for nutty flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Black Pepper (essential for removing any gamey odor!)
- 15cm Green Onion (finely chopped)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the grated onion for the marinade. Grate about 1/4 of an onion finely using a grater. This should yield about 2-3 tablespoons of grated onion. Using grated onion will add a natural sweetness and umami, making your bulgogi sauce much more delicious.
Step 2
Next, wash and finely chop the 15cm long green onion. Place the chopped green onion into a bowl or container where you’ll be mixing the marinade.^^
Step 3
Now, let’s make the tasty bulgogi marinade! In the bowl, combine 10 tablespoons of soy sauce, 10 tablespoons of water, 5 tablespoons of sugar, a generous 5 tablespoons of minced garlic, 3 tablespoons of fragrant maesil cheong, 1 tablespoon of nutty sesame oil, a pinch of toasted sesame seeds, and 1 tablespoon of black pepper. Add the grated onion prepared earlier and mix everything thoroughly with a spoon until the marinade is well combined.^^
Step 4
It’s time to prepare our star ingredient: the pork! Slice the 600g of pork, which should be cut for bulgogi, into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3cm). You can cut them larger or smaller depending on your preference or for your children. Add the sliced pork directly into the prepared marinade.
Step 5
Gently mix the pork and marinade with your hands, ensuring the sauce coats every piece of meat. It’s important to mix thoroughly so the marinade penetrates well. Cover the marinated pork with plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. For an even deeper flavor, you can marinate it overnight. And just like that, step one – marinating the meat – is complete!
Step 6
Now, let’s cook the delicious bulgogi! Lightly oil a preheated pan and add the marinated pork in portions. Stir-fry over high heat. Stir occasionally to prevent the meat from sticking together. Cooking over high heat helps seal in the juices, keeping the meat tender and flavorful.
Step 7
Once you can smell the wonderful aroma of the cooking meat, reduce the heat to medium. Now, prepare some rice water (sseulteulmul) to add extra flavor. Pour about 100ml of rice water into the pan.^^ If you don’t have rice water, you can use anchovy-kelp broth or plain water. * The amount of rice water can be adjusted based on the quantity of meat and the size of your pan.
Step 8
Continue to cook over medium heat until the liquid reduces and becomes a glossy sauce that coats the meat. The bulgogi is ready when it’s beautifully glazed and slightly thickened. Be careful not to overcook, as the meat can become tough.
Step 9
Voilà! Your incredibly delicious soy sauce bulgogi is ready! Serve it on a nice plate for a beautiful and satisfying meal.^^ You can also add other vegetables like mushrooms, onions, or carrots while stir-frying for extra flavor and texture.^^ I’ll be back with another delicious recipe soon! Enjoy your meal, everyone!^^
