Crispy & Sweet Pork Rib Gangjeong
A Delectable Twist! Crispy Pork Ribs Braised in a Savory-Sweet Sauce
When you think of pork ribs, braising or stewing often comes to mind. Today, however, we’re going to try something different! We’ll be deep-frying pork ribs until they’re crispy, much like Korean fried chicken (Dak Gangjeong), and then braising them in a wonderfully savory and sweet gangjeong sauce. To make it even more delightful, we’ll be frying sweet potatoes alongside the ribs, turning this dish into a treat reminiscent of sweet potato ‘Mat-tang’. This Pork Rib Gangjeong is a guaranteed hit with kids and perfect for the whole family to enjoy! Ready to cook up some deliciousness?
Main Ingredients- Pork ribs 600g
- Garlic 5 cloves
- Dried chili peppers 2
- Sweet potato 1
- Frying powder (tempura flour) 1 cup
For Boiling Pork Ribs- Cheongju (rice wine) 2 Tbsp
- Green onion 1 stalk
- Garlic 1 handful (approx. 5-6 cloves)
- Whole peppercorns 1 Tbsp
Gangjeong Sauce- Soy sauce (jin-ganjang) 3 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (mirin) 2 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Ginger syrup (saenggang-cheong) 2 Tbsp
Pork Rib Seasoning- Cheongju (rice wine) 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Sugar 1/2 Tbsp
- Salt to taste
- Cheongju (rice wine) 2 Tbsp
- Green onion 1 stalk
- Garlic 1 handful (approx. 5-6 cloves)
- Whole peppercorns 1 Tbsp
Gangjeong Sauce- Soy sauce (jin-ganjang) 3 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (mirin) 2 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Ginger syrup (saenggang-cheong) 2 Tbsp
Pork Rib Seasoning- Cheongju (rice wine) 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Sugar 1/2 Tbsp
- Salt to taste
- Cheongju (rice wine) 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Sugar 1/2 Tbsp
- Salt to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by soaking the pork ribs in cold water for about 30 to 40 minutes to remove any excess blood. This step is crucial for a clean flavor without any gamey smell.
Step 2
In a pot, add enough water to cover the ribs. Include 2 Tbsp of Cheongju, 1 stalk of green onion, a handful of garlic cloves, and 1 Tbsp of whole peppercorns. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the pork ribs for about 30 minutes until tender.
Step 3
During the simmering process, skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface. This will ensure your ribs are impeccably clean and flavorful.
Step 4
Once the pork ribs are boiled and have cooled slightly, cut them into bite-sized pieces. Slice the garlic cloves thinly for frying.
Step 5
Wash the 2 dried chili peppers, remove the seeds, and slice them. (If you prefer a spicier kick, you can leave some seeds in.)
Step 6
Peel the sweet potato and cut it into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5 cm thick, suitable for both children and adults. Try not to cut them too thin, so they don’t fall apart during frying.
Step 7
In a small bowl, combine the gangjeong sauce ingredients: 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp cooking wine, 1 Tbsp sugar, and 2 Tbsp ginger syrup. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved, and set aside.
Step 8
After the boiled pork ribs have cooled down a bit, gently pat them dry with paper towels.
Step 9
Transfer the dried ribs to another bowl. Add the seasoning ingredients: 2 Tbsp Cheongju, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1/2 Tbsp sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Step 10
Gently massage the seasoning into the ribs with your hands and let them marinate for about 10 minutes. This will help the flavors penetrate the meat beautifully.
Step 11
Add 1 cup of frying powder to the marinated pork ribs. Toss them well to ensure an even coating. Aim for a light coating rather than a thick one.
Step 12
Heat a generous amount of oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Carefully add the coated pork ribs, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan, and fry until golden brown and crispy. It’s best to fry in batches.
Step 13
After frying the ribs, add the sliced sweet potatoes to the same oil and fry until golden and tender. Keep an eye on them, as sweet potatoes cook faster than ribs and can burn easily.
Step 14
These fried ribs and sweet potatoes are delicious on their own, but let’s elevate them further with our special gangjeong sauce!
Step 15
In a separate pan, heat 2 Tbsp of cooking oil over medium-low heat.
Step 16
Add the sliced garlic and sauté slowly until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic; adjust the heat as needed.
Step 17
Add the sliced dried chili peppers and sauté briefly to release their aroma.
Step 18
Now, add both the fried pork ribs and the sweet potatoes to the pan.
Step 19
Pour all of the prepared gangjeong sauce over the ingredients.
Step 20
Toss everything together gently in the sauce over medium heat until the ribs and sweet potatoes are evenly coated and the sauce has thickened to a glossy finish. Congratulations, you’ve made delicious Pork Rib Gangjeong with a crispy exterior and tender interior! Enjoy your meal!
