Cha Chef’s Style Spicy Pork Stir-fry (with My Personal Touch!)
Cha Seung Won’s Famous Spicy Pork Stir-fry from ‘Three Meals a Day’ – My Way!
I tried making the famous Jeyuk Bokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork) recipe from the popular Korean show ‘Three Meals a Day,’ where Cha Seung Won showcased his amazing cooking skills. I’ve added my own personal touch to the original recipe to make it even more flavorful and delicious. The perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors with tender pork makes this dish an absolute rice-lover’s dream!
Main Ingredients- Pork shoulder (recommended) 900g
- 1 Onion
- 1 Green onion (scallion)
- 10-15 cloves Garlic
- 2-3 Cheongyang peppers (adjust to your spice preference)
Spicy & Sweet Sauce- 7 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes – use generously)
- 6 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup – adjust sweetness)
- 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 3 Tbsp Grated onion (for natural sweetness and flavor)
- 2 Tbsp Minced garlic (for a rich garlic aroma)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil (for nutty flavor)
- A pinch of black pepper
Pork Marinade- 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 7 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes – use generously)
- 6 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup – adjust sweetness)
- 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 3 Tbsp Grated onion (for natural sweetness and flavor)
- 2 Tbsp Minced garlic (for a rich garlic aroma)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil (for nutty flavor)
- A pinch of black pepper
Pork Marinade- 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- A pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, in a bowl, combine the pork shoulder with the ‘Pork Marinade’ ingredients: 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp mirin, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well to coat the pork. Marinating the pork not only tenderizes it and removes any unwanted odors but also allows the flavors to penetrate deeper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let it marinate.
Step 2
Next, prepare the ‘Spicy & Sweet Sauce’ by mixing all the ingredients in a separate bowl: 7 Tbsp gochugaru, 6 Tbsp oligodang, 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp mirin, 3 Tbsp grated onion, 2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and a pinch of black pepper. For even better flavor, let the sauce rest and mature for at least 10 minutes in the refrigerator while the pork marinates.
Step 3
While the pork and sauce are marinating, prepare the vegetables. Slice the onion into thick strips. Cut the green onion diagonally. You can slice the garlic cloves or leave them whole. Slice the Cheongyang peppers diagonally for a spicy kick (adjust or omit if you prefer less heat).
Step 4
Heat a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat without adding any oil. Add the marinated pork and whole garlic cloves. Stir-fry the pork, letting its own fat render out. This adds a wonderful richness and flavor. Cook until the pork is about halfway done, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 5
Once the pork is about half cooked (its color has changed to opaque white), add the prepared ‘Spicy & Sweet Sauce’ to the pan. Stir well to coat the pork evenly with the sauce. Keep stirring to prevent the sauce from burning, adjusting the heat if necessary.
Step 6
As the sauce begins to thicken and coat the pork, add the sliced onion, green onion, and Cheongyang peppers to the pan. Continue to stir-fry until the vegetables are slightly tender but still retain a bit of crunch.
Step 7
Continue stir-frying until all the ingredients are well combined and coated in the glossy sauce. The garlic cloves, cooked from the beginning, will be tender yet still have a slight bite, making them a delicious addition. Once everything is cooked through and has a beautiful sheen, remove from heat and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes and rice. Enjoy your delicious homemade Jeyuk Bokkeum!
