Chewy Stone Octopus Rice Bowl
A Unique One-Bowl Meal: Chewy Stone Octopus Rice Bowl
Experience the delightful chewy texture and the sweet, savory flavor unique to octopus in this Stone Octopus Rice Bowl! The addition of a spicy and zesty sauce makes it so irresistible that you’ll finish a whole bowl of rice in no time. Elevate your mealtime with this special dish, perfect for any occasion.
Main Ingredients- 1 Stone Octopus (approx. 550g)
- 1/2 large Onion
- 1/2 stalk Green Onion
- 90g Cabbage
- 1 Green Chili, 1 Red Chili
- 3 bowls Rice
- 1 Tbsp Chili Oil
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 3 Tbsp Flour (for cleaning octopus)
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar (for blanching octopus)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Sake (for blanching octopus)
Sauce- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2.5 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Corn Syrup or Rice Syrup
- 2/3 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (sweet rice wine)
- A pinch of Black Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2.5 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Corn Syrup or Rice Syrup
- 2/3 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (sweet rice wine)
- A pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, locate the thin stringy part at the back of the octopus’s head. Use scissors to carefully cut it off. This step makes the subsequent cleaning process much easier.
Step 2
Next, turn the octopus head inside out. You’ll find the internal organs; carefully cut them out and discard them. This is a crucial step to remove any unpleasant odor.
Step 3
Using scissors or a knife, remove the octopus’s eyes as well. Ensure all unwanted parts are cleanly removed.
Step 4
Gently squeeze the inside of the octopus’s tentacles with both hands. You’ll feel a hard part emerge – this is the octopus’s beak. Remove and discard it to ensure a tender bite.
Step 5
In a bowl, combine the cleaned octopus with 3 tablespoons of flour and 3 tablespoons of water. Knead and rub the octopus vigorously, paying special attention to the suckers, to thoroughly clean it. This helps remove any residue and slime. Rinse thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear. This step is key to eliminating any fishy smell.
Step 6
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of cooking sake and 1 tablespoon of vinegar to the boiling water. Submerge the prepared octopus and blanch it over high heat for about 1 minute and 30 seconds. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become tough. This completes the octopus preparation and blanching.
Step 7
Prepare your vegetables. Thinly slice the onion. Shred the cabbage finely. Slice the green onion diagonally. Finely chop the green and red chilies. The vibrant colors of the chilies will add a beautiful visual appeal to your dish.
Step 8
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of chili oil. Add the sliced green onion and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant, allowing the aromatics to infuse the oil.
Step 9
Once the aroma of the green onion and garlic is released, add the sliced onions and chopped chilies to the pan. Continue to stir-fry for another 2 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened and translucent.
Step 10
Pour all of the prepared sauce into the frying pan. Bring the sauce to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally to ensure it dissolves well. Let it bubble vigorously.
Step 11
As soon as the sauce begins to boil, add the blanched octopus (cut into bite-sized pieces) and the shredded cabbage. Keep the heat on high and stir-fry for just 4 minutes. The goal is to keep the vegetables crisp and the octopus tender.
Step 12
Here’s a pro tip for extra flavor: Towards the end of cooking, gently push the octopus pieces to the side of the pan and let them sear for a moment to get a slight smoky char. This not only enhances the chewy texture but also deepens the color of the dish, making it even more appetizing!
Step 13
Serve the stir-fried octopus and vegetables generously over a bowl of warm rice. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and drizzle with sesame oil. For the best experience, mix everything together right before eating to fully combine the flavors. Enjoy your delicious Stone Octopus Rice Bowl!
