Spicy & Cheesy Pork Ribs
#HomeCooking #BaekJongWonRecipe #CheesePorkRibs | Enjoying delicious ribs with tteokbokki rice cakes, mushrooms, and generous cheese!
Forget the hassle of making separate sauces! This recipe introduces a simplified method where you create one master sauce to cook your pork ribs in one go. We’ve enhanced the umami by adding natural seasonings and smoked paprika, giving it a rich, complex flavor. While natural seasoning powder is optional, it significantly elevates the taste. This dish is perfect for a special family meal at home.
Ribs & Vegetables- Pork spare ribs 634g
- Cheongju (rice wine) or Maotai baijiu 1/3 cup (for removing pork rib odor)
- Bay leaves 3 leaves
- 1/2 onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup tteokbokki rice cakes
- 2 king oyster mushrooms (sliced into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 shiitake mushroom (sliced into bite-sized pieces)
- Mozzarella cheese, desired amount
Special Sauce Ingredients- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 stalk green onion (chopped, primarily white parts)
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/3 cup Cheongju (rice wine) or cooking wine
- 1 tsp natural seasoning powder (or anchovy/shrimp/shiitake mushroom powder)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 Tbsp minced ginger
- 1/3 cup corn syrup or honey
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 stalk green onion (chopped, primarily white parts)
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/3 cup Cheongju (rice wine) or cooking wine
- 1 tsp natural seasoning powder (or anchovy/shrimp/shiitake mushroom powder)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 Tbsp minced ginger
- 1/3 cup corn syrup or honey
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s make the special sauce that’s the secret to this dish’s deep flavor! In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 tsp sugar, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp minced ginger, and 2 Tbsp gochujang. Mix well.
Step 2
Next, add 1 tsp of smoked paprika powder for an extra layer of smoky aroma. Then, add 2 Tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp black pepper to season. This will create a complex spicy and savory profile.
Step 3
Now it’s time to add sweetness. Although sugar is included, we’ll add another 1/3 cup of corn syrup or honey for shine and sweetness. Also, add 1/3 cup of Cheongju (or cooking wine) to thoroughly eliminate any porky odor from the ribs.
Step 4
Now for the secret ingredient that will make the flavors pop: 1 tsp of natural seasoning powder. You can substitute this with anchovy powder, shrimp powder, or shiitake mushroom powder. This single ingredient elevates the dish significantly! Mix all the sauce ingredients together to complete the sauce.
Step 5
Finally, add 1 chopped green onion stalk (primarily the white parts for better aroma) to the sauce and mix everything thoroughly. Using the white parts from the start adds a richer fragrance.
Step 6
Now, we’ll parboil the ribs to remove any gamey smell and impurities. Place the ribs in a pot, add 1/3 cup of Cheongju or baijiu, and 3 bay leaves to help neutralize the odor. I specifically used baijiu for this recipe.
Step 7
Add enough water to cover the ribs and boil them over high heat for 10 minutes. Parboiling like this ensures you enjoy clean-tasting ribs without any unpleasant smell.
Step 8
Once parboiled, drain the ribs and rinse them under cold running water to remove any residue. Line the bottom of the pot with the sliced half onion, and arrange the prepared ribs on top.
Step 9
Now, let’s start braising. Pour 4 cups of water into the pot and stir in the pre-made special sauce. Bring to a boil over medium heat, cover, and let the ribs braise for about 40 minutes. The water level should be just enough to almost cover the ribs. If the sauce tastes too salty, adjust the amount of water accordingly.
Step 10
You can see the water reducing and the sauce thickening as it cooks. At this stage, add 1 cup of tteokbokki rice cakes, 2 sliced king oyster mushrooms, and 1 sliced shiitake mushroom. Mix well and continue to braise together. The mushrooms and rice cakes will absorb the delicious sauce.
Step 11
The starch from the tteokbokki rice cakes will naturally thicken the sauce. Check if the rib meat is tender enough to easily pull away from the bone. Once cooked, prepare to add the cheese. You can continue cooking in the same pot or transfer to a grill pan.
Step 12
Generously top the prepared ribs with your desired amount of mozzarella cheese! Because cheese is always a good idea! Cover the pot and cook over low heat until the cheese is melted. This gentle heating ensures the cheese melts smoothly without burning.
Step 13
Voilà! The cheese has melted beautifully. The ribs are already fully cooked, so all that’s left is to enjoy the blend of cheesy goodness and spicy ribs.
Step 14
Finally, garnish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions for an upgraded version of Baek Jong Won’s Cheese Pork Ribs! Thanks to the natural seasoning, even the last drop of sauce is rich in umami. This is truly a rice-lover’s dream!
