Sweet & Chewy Pork Gangjeong (Korean Sweet and Sour Fried Pork)
Sweet & Chewy Pork Gangjeong (Korean Sweet and Sour Fried Pork)
A Delicious Pork Neck Gangjeong Recipe for Kids – Sweet and Chewy!
Weekends often feel like I’m living in the kitchen, preparing three meals a day plus snacks for the family! So today, I’m going to make a popular meat dish for kids: a gochujang-ketchup glazed pork neck, often called ‘Pork Gangjeong’. This dish is not only a fantastic side for children’s meals but also makes a great appetizer for adults. Its sweet and savory flavor is perfect for finishing a bowl of rice or enjoying with a cold beer.
Main Ingredients- Pork neck 400g
- Potato starch or cornstarch 5 Tbsp
Pork Neck Marinating Ingredients- Cooking wine (Cheongju) 1 Tbsp
- Ginger powder a pinch
- Herb salt a pinch
Sweet & Savory Gangjeong Sauce Ingredients- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 tsp
- Ketchup 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic or sliced garlic 4 cloves’ worth
- Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup) 3 Tbsp
- Water a little (for thinning the sauce)
- Cooking wine (Cheongju) 1 Tbsp
- Ginger powder a pinch
- Herb salt a pinch
Sweet & Savory Gangjeong Sauce Ingredients- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 tsp
- Ketchup 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic or sliced garlic 4 cloves’ worth
- Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup) 3 Tbsp
- Water a little (for thinning the sauce)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, score the pork neck in several places. This helps the gangjeong sauce penetrate better, making the meat more flavorful.
Step 2
Cut the pork neck into bite-sized pieces. These are easy for kids to handle and eat.
Step 3
To the cut pork neck, add 1 Tbsp of cooking wine, a pinch of ginger powder, and a pinch of herb salt. Gently mix and let it marinate for about 15 minutes. This step removes any gamey odor from the pork and seasons it, enhancing the overall flavor.
Step 4
Once the pork has absorbed the marinade, generously sprinkle 5 Tbsp of starch powder over it.
Step 5
Gently press the pork neck with your hands to ensure the starch powder coats every piece thoroughly and evenly. Coating it well with starch is key to achieving a crispy exterior after cooking.
Step 6
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan. Add the starch-coated pork neck and fry until golden brown on both sides. To keep the meat tender and flavorful, avoid flipping too often; let one side cook until almost done before flipping to the other side. Cook until the exterior is nicely browned and crispy.
Step 7
Here’s the beautifully fried pork neck! It’s already delicious at this stage, with a crispy outside and tender inside. Your kids might even prefer it just like this, without the sauce!
Step 8
In a separate pan, add a little oil and sauté the sliced garlic until golden brown and fragrant. Once the garlic is fragrant, add 1 tsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp ketchup, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 3 Tbsp oligosaccharide, and a little water. Stir well and simmer to create the sauce. (Tip: Be cautious with the amount of gochujang, as too much can make it too salty. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed!)
Step 9
Once the sauce has thickened slightly, add the golden-brown fried pork neck to the pan.
Step 10
Finally, stir everything gently to coat the pork neck evenly with the sauce. Your delicious Pork Gangjeong is ready! It’s best enjoyed immediately while warm.
