Braised Saury with Korean Green Chili Peppers: A Rice-Loving Side Dish
Perfect Recipe for Savory Saury and Chili Peppers
This Braised Saury with Korean Green Chili Peppers is a classic Korean dish that perfectly balances the spicy kick of the peppers with the rich, umami flavor of saury, all simmered in a savory soy sauce-based broth. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a true ‘rice thief’! Adjust the amount of chili peppers or add gochujang (Korean chili paste) for extra heat. The tender saury melts in your mouth, while the slightly crisp peppers add a delightful texture and flavor contrast. It’s ideal as a side dish for any meal or even as a flavorful appetizer.
Main Ingredients- 20-25 Korean green chili peppers (cut into 2-3 pieces each)
- 2 cans of saury (drain the liquid, keep the fish)
- 1/2 onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 red or green chilies (optional, sliced diagonally)
Braising Sauce- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup mirin (rice wine)
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup oligosaccharide (or corn syrup)
- 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of ginger powder (or 1/4 tsp grated ginger)
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup mirin (rice wine)
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup oligosaccharide (or corn syrup)
- 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of ginger powder (or 1/4 tsp grated ginger)
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by making the flavorful braising sauce. In a bowl, combine 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup mirin, 1/3 cup water, and 1/3 cup oligosaccharide. Add 1/2 tbsp of minced garlic and a pinch of ginger powder. Finally, stir in 1 tbsp of cooking oil and mix everything well until combined. The cooking oil adds a lovely sheen to the finished dish.
Step 2
Now, prepare the saury. Open 2 cans of saury and pour the contents into a pot. It’s important to drain out all the liquid from the can; this helps reduce any fishy smell. Handle the saury gently to prevent it from breaking apart.
Step 3
Arrange the sliced 1/2 onion and the optional diagonally sliced chilies over the saury. The onion will add natural sweetness to the sauce, and the chilies will provide a hint of spice. Feel free to add other vegetables you enjoy.
Step 4
Pour the prepared braising sauce evenly over the saury and vegetables. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium once it starts simmering.
Step 5
Once the sauce is bubbling, add the cut Korean green chili peppers. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer on medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chili peppers are tender and have absorbed the flavors of the sauce. If you prefer a slightly firmer texture for the peppers, shorten the cooking time.
Step 6
Finally, remove the lid and continue to simmer on medium heat, basting the ingredients with the sauce occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. This glazing step makes the dish even more delicious! Serve hot over a bowl of steamed rice. Enjoy your homemade Braised Saury with Korean Green Chili Peppers!