Savory & Sweet Stir-Fried Fish Cakes (Eomuk Bokkeum)
Easy Korean Side Dish: Sweet and Savory Soy-Glazed Fish Cakes (Oden Bokkeum) – A Perfect Addition to Any Meal
Hello there! I’m Ryu-i, a food influencer on Naver. Along with tofu, fish cakes (eomuk) are a staple I always keep in my refrigerator. When making side dishes for my children, I often prepare this soy-glazed fish cake stew because they love it. Today, I’m sharing a recipe for stir-fried fish cakes that is incredibly simple to make and absolutely delicious!
Ingredients- 12 sheets of square fish cakes
- 1 carrot
- 1 onion
- 1/2 stalk of green onion
- 5 shiitake mushrooms
Seasoning- Generous amount of cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 6 Tbsp soy sauce
- 4 Tbsp corn syrup (oligo당)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 3 Tbsp sesame oil
- Generous amount of cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 6 Tbsp soy sauce
- 4 Tbsp corn syrup (oligo당)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 3 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the vegetables. Slice the onion and carrot into thick strips, about 0.5 cm wide. Slice the shiitake mushrooms into similar thicknesses. For the green onion, cut it diagonally into large pieces about 4-5 cm long.
Step 2
Cut the fish cakes into bite-sized pieces. You can cut them into rectangles or triangles, according to your preference. Cutting them into pieces that are easy for children to eat will make them even more enjoyable!
Step 3
Place the cut fish cakes in boiling water and blanch them briefly. This process helps to remove excess oil and sodium, resulting in a cleaner and more mellow flavor. Think of it as giving the fish cakes a quick ‘shower’ in hot water.
Step 4
Now, let’s start stir-frying. Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, creating a flavorful garlic oil. Be careful not to burn the garlic; sautéing it gently is key.
Step 5
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the prepared carrots and onions. Stir-fry them until the onions become translucent and release their natural sweetness. Keep stir-frying over medium heat to bring out the vegetables’ sweetness.
Step 6
When the vegetables are slightly softened, add the sliced green onions, shiitake mushrooms, and the blanched fish cakes. Stir-fry until the ingredients are well coated with oil and everything is nicely mixed. Be careful not to overcook the fish cakes, as they can become tough.
Step 7
It’s time to add the delicious seasoning! Pour in 6 tablespoons of soy sauce and 4 tablespoons of corn syrup. Sprinkle in a pinch of black pepper. Gently stir everything together with a spatula to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed. Continue to stir-fry until the sauce thickens slightly, creating that perfect sweet and savory balance.
Step 8
Finally, turn off the heat. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of sesame oil around the edges of the pan. To preserve the fragrant sesame aroma, gently toss everything once or twice off the heat. This finishing touch will add a wonderful nutty fragrance, completing your delicious stir-fried fish cakes.
