Chewy Squid and Soft Fish Cake Stir-Fry: Sweet & Savory Delight
#SquidFishCake #EasySideDish #Banchan #Anju #GosaeFishCake #KatsuobushiSauce
When the weather gets warm, sometimes a hearty fish cake soup doesn’t hit the spot. Instead, I craved a simple side dish that’s quick to make! I decided to use some semi-dried squid from my freezer and some whale fish cakes I had on hand to create this chewy and flavorful squid and fish cake stir-fry. While a basic soy sauce base is good, today I elevated the taste by using the katsuobushi sauce packet that came with the fish cakes, adding a deeper and richer flavor. Don’t worry if you don’t have katsuobushi sauce! You can achieve a delicious stir-fry using soy sauce, tsuyu, or even udon sauce. The savory and sweet taste is perfect as a side dish for rice or as a snack with drinks when you’re feeling peckish. This recipe offers a mild and non-spicy flavor that even children can enjoy. Let’s make it right now!
Main Ingredients- 2 semi-dried squids
- 400g whale fish cakes
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Heat a pan over medium-low heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Add the chopped green onions and stir-fry until fragrant, creating a flavorful green onion oil. This step significantly enhances the dish’s aroma.
Step 2
Gently thaw the semi-dried squid in cold water, then rinse it under cold running water to clean it thoroughly. Pat dry with paper towels. Cut the squid into bite-sized pieces (about 1-2 cm wide). Cut the fish cakes into similar sizes as well.
Step 3
Once the green onion oil is fragrant, add the cut squid and fish cakes to the pan. Stir-fry them together until the squid is lightly cooked and everything is well combined.
Step 4
Now it’s time for the seasonings. Add 1 packet of katsuobushi broth (or katsuobushi sauce) from the fish cake soup base, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of corn syrup or oligosaccharide syrup for sweetness. If you don’t have katsuobushi sauce, you can mix 1.5 Tbsp of regular soy sauce, 1 Tbsp of cooking wine (mirin), and 0.5 Tbsp of sugar. Add all ingredients and stir-fry quickly over high heat to ensure the sauce coats everything evenly.
Step 5
As the stir-frying nears completion, sprinkle in some black pepper and finish with a generous amount of toasted sesame seeds. This creates a fantastic appetizer or a hearty side dish in no time! Enjoy the delightful combination of chewy squid and soft fish cake, with a perfectly balanced sweet and savory flavor. This mild and non-spicy dish is also great for kids. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy with your rice meals!
