The Ultimate Korean Comfort Side Dish: Delicious Stir-Fried Fish Cakes
The Ultimate Korean Comfort Side Dish: Delicious Stir-Fried Fish Cakes
A Staple Korean Side Dish: Easy and Flavorful Stir-Fried Fish Cakes
A simple yet incredibly delicious side dish that’s perfect for any meal. Whip up this classic Korean stir-fried fish cake (Eomuk Bokkeum) in no time!
Main Ingredients- 2 sheets of square fish cake (Eomuk)
- Small piece of carrot (approx. 1/4)
- 1/4 onion
- Small piece of green onion (approx. 1/4 stalk)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- A pinch of sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients for our star dish, the stir-fried fish cakes. Rinse the fish cakes under cold water and pat them dry. Finely julienne the carrot and onion. Chop the green onion. If you find julienning vegetables tedious, using a mandoline slicer can make this step much faster and easier.
Step 2
Cut the square fish cakes into bite-sized pieces according to your preference. For stir-fries, it’s common to cut them into long strips or small squares. The shape of the fish cake can affect the texture and overall appearance of the dish, so feel free to cut them as you like. For an extra chewy texture, you can lightly blanch the fish cakes before cutting.
Step 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Once you can smell the garlic aroma, add the prepared fish cakes and continue to stir-fry over medium heat until they are lightly golden brown. This step helps to develop a chewier texture in the fish cakes.
Step 4
While stir-frying the fish cakes, add the julienned carrots and cook until they begin to soften. Next, add the sliced onions and stir-fry until they become translucent and fragrant. Once the sweetness from the onions is released, add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1/2 tablespoon of sugar. Stir well to ensure the sauce coats all the ingredients evenly. (Tip: If you prefer less sweetness, you can omit or reduce the sugar. The natural sweetness of the onions might be sufficient.)
Step 5
Finally, add the chopped green onions to the pan and stir-fry for another minute. The fresh aroma of the green onions will enhance the overall flavor of the dish and help to eliminate any unwanted odors. Continue stir-frying until all ingredients are well-cooked and the sauce is nicely distributed.
Step 6
Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil. This adds a wonderful nutty aroma and depth of flavor. Sesame oil is sensitive to heat, so adding it at the end preserves its delicate fragrance.
Step 7
Sprinkle some sesame seeds over the finished stir-fried fish cakes for a beautiful garnish and an extra touch of flavor. This version, without chili powder, is a delightful sweet and savory (dan-jjan) side dish that perfectly complements rice. If you desire a spicier kick, feel free to add a bit of chopped chili pepper or chili powder. This is a side dish so delicious, you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again – be sure to try making it!
