Spicy and Sweet Braised Cod (Kodari Jorim)
A Rice-Stealing Spicy and Sweet Braised Cod (Kodari Jorim) Your Family Will Love!
Let’s make a delicious spicy and sweet braised cod dish using cod that’s been waiting in the freezer! This dish, with its savory soy sauce base and kick of chili powder, is a true ‘rice thief’ that will have you finishing your bowl in no time. It’s perfect for a comforting homemade meal, not just for special occasions.
Main Ingredients- 2 pieces prepared dried pollack (kodari)
- 1/2 piece radish (approx. 200g)
- 4 dried chili peppers
- 1/2 stalk green onion
Spicy and Sweet Braising Sauce- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 2 Tbsp Plum Extract (Maesil Cheong)
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Ginger Syrup (or 1/2 tsp grated ginger)
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 1 cup Water (200ml)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil (or vegetable oil)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 2 Tbsp Plum Extract (Maesil Cheong)
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Ginger Syrup (or 1/2 tsp grated ginger)
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 1 cup Water (200ml)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil (or vegetable oil)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the dried pollack (kodari) thoroughly under cold running water. Pay special attention to cleaning the inside cavity to ensure a clean taste without any fishy odor. After rinsing, drain the fish completely in a colander.
Step 2
Slice the radish into thick pieces, about 1cm thick. Cut the green onion into large diagonal pieces, about 4-5cm long. Break the dried chili peppers into 2-3 pieces with scissors. (You can add fresh chili peppers like Cheongyang peppers for extra spice, if desired).
Step 3
In the pot you’ll be cooking in, place the sliced radish at the bottom. The radish will absorb the sauce as it cooks, becoming tender and delicious alongside the fish.
Step 4
Arrange the rinsed and drained dried pollack (kodari) attractively on top of the radish.
Step 5
Add the prepared green onions and dried chili peppers among the pieces of cod.
Step 6
Now, let’s make the delicious braising sauce. In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp mirin, and 2 Tbsp minced garlic.
Step 7
Add 1 Tbsp ginger syrup, a pinch of black pepper, 2 Tbsp plum extract, and 2 Tbsp gochugaru. Pour in 1 cup (200ml) of water. (Note: The original step mentions 1 cup + 1/2 cup, but step 8 only uses the mixed sauce once. We will assume 1 cup is the intended total liquid for the sauce base).
Step 8
Whisk the sauce ingredients together with a whisk or spoon until well combined, creating a flavorful braising sauce.
Step 9
Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the cod and vegetables. Ensure the sauce coats all parts of the fish.
Step 10
Finally, drizzle 1 Tbsp of sesame oil over the cod and 1 Tbsp of olive oil (or vegetable oil) around the edges of the pot. The added oils contribute to the savory flavor and tender texture of the dish.
Step 11
Cover the pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the radish is translucent and the cod is well-coated with the sauce. The dish is then complete.
Step 12
About halfway through cooking (around the 10-minute mark), lift the lid and spoon some of the sauce over the cod. Basting the fish like this will help the flavors penetrate more deeply, resulting in an even more delicious braised cod.
