Spicy & Sweet Gochujang Pork Bulgogi
Easy Homemade Gochujang Pork Bulgogi Recipe with Budget-Friendly Pork Shoulder
Make the most of your pork shoulder with this delicious recipe! The savory, tender pork combined with a spicy and sweet special sauce is incredibly addictive and perfect with a bowl of rice. Eating it wrapped in fresh leafy vegetables will fill your mouth with happiness. You can adjust the amount of gochujang to suit your family’s spice preference for a truly satisfying meal. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, even beginner cooks can achieve great results. Let’s get cooking together! ^^
Main Ingredients- 400g thinly sliced pork shoulder
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1/2 medium carrot
- 1 handful of chives
- 70ml water
Sauce Ingredients- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp oligodang (corn syrup or other liquid sweetener) (adjust sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for nutty aroma!)
Marinade Ingredients (for tenderizing & flavor)- 2 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (adds sweetness and fragrance)
- 1 Tbsp ginger juice (helps remove gamey odors)
- 1 Tbsp raw sugar (for a smoother sweetness than granulated sugar)
- Pinch of whole black peppercorns (optional)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp oligodang (corn syrup or other liquid sweetener) (adjust sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for nutty aroma!)
Marinade Ingredients (for tenderizing & flavor)- 2 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (adds sweetness and fragrance)
- 1 Tbsp ginger juice (helps remove gamey odors)
- 1 Tbsp raw sugar (for a smoother sweetness than granulated sugar)
- Pinch of whole black peppercorns (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a large mixing bowl, place the 400g of thinly sliced pork shoulder. Add all the marinade ingredients: 2 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp plum extract, 1 Tbsp ginger juice, 1 Tbsp raw sugar, and a pinch of whole black peppercorns. Gently mix everything together and let it marinate for about 10 minutes. This step helps to tenderize the pork and remove any unwanted odors.
Step 2
While the pork is marinating, prepare the sauce. In a separate bowl, combine all the ‘Sauce Ingredients’: 2 Tbsp gochujang, 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp oligodang, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Mix well until smooth and no lumps remain. (Feel free to add more gochugaru if you prefer it spicier!)
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the vegetables. Wash the 1/2 onion and 1/2 carrot, peel them, and then thinly slice them into strips. Wash the handful of chives, pat them dry, and cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4cm long.
Step 4
Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and add a little cooking oil. Add the marinated pork and the prepared sauce to the pan. Pour in 70ml of water. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, breaking up the pork so it doesn’t clump, until the surface of the pork is cooked. Adding water helps the sauce adhere better to the meat.
Step 5
Once the pork begins to cook, add the sliced carrots and onions to the pan. Stir-fry over medium-high heat quickly to keep the vegetables crisp-tender and cook them until they soften slightly, blending well with the pork and sauce. The vegetables will release some moisture, further melding the flavors.
Step 6
When the pork and vegetables are fully cooked, reduce the heat to low or turn it off temporarily. Drizzle in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for extra fragrance and add the chopped chives. Gently toss everything together. The chives are best when slightly wilted, so avoid overcooking them.
Step 7
There you have it – delicious Spicy & Sweet Gochujang Pork Bulgogi! Serve hot with rice, and enjoy it wrapped in fresh perilla leaves or lettuce for a delightful쌈 (ssam) experience. It’s also fantastic mixed into rice! Gather your family for a wonderful meal together! ^^
