Crispy and Tender Flat Sweet and Sour Pork (Tangsooyook)
Chef Lee Yeon-bok’s Secret: A Special Flat Tangsooyook Recipe for Home
Recreate Chef Lee Yeon-bok’s famous Chinese-style flat Tangsooyook at home, boasting a crispy exterior and a tender interior! It’s the perfect choice for special occasions or when you crave something extraordinary.
Tangsooyook Ingredients- 3 slices Beef sirloin (thinly sliced)
- 2 cups Sweet rice flour
- 2 cups Potato starch (or cornstarch)
- 1 Egg (lightly beaten)
- A little water
- Plenty of cooking oil (for frying)
Chinese-Style Tangsooyook Sauce Ingredients- 1/4 Onion (julienned)
- 1/2 Green onion (white part mainly, cut into thick pieces)
- 1/3 Carrot (julienned)
- 2 Chili peppers (approx. 1/3 finely chopped, 2/3 diagonally sliced)
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp Chili oil
- Adequate amount of water (for sauce consistency)
- 2 Tbsp Ketchup
- 1 Tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Starch slurry (mix 2 Tbsp water + 2 Tbsp starch)
- 1/4 Onion (julienned)
- 1/2 Green onion (white part mainly, cut into thick pieces)
- 1/3 Carrot (julienned)
- 2 Chili peppers (approx. 1/3 finely chopped, 2/3 diagonally sliced)
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp Chili oil
- Adequate amount of water (for sauce consistency)
- 2 Tbsp Ketchup
- 1 Tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Starch slurry (mix 2 Tbsp water + 2 Tbsp starch)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the beef sirloin. Use the back of a knife to gently pound the sirloin, breaking down any connective tissues, to make the meat tender. This step significantly improves the eating texture.
Step 2
In a large bowl, combine the sweet rice flour and potato starch. Mix the flours well, then gradually add water, a little at a time, just enough to start forming a dough. You want to use the minimum amount of water possible to avoid a sticky batter. Add the lightly beaten egg to the mixture and combine thoroughly.
Step 3
Gradually add cooking oil to the batter while kneading it until smooth. The consistency should be pourable but not too thin, similar to a thick pancake batter. This ideal consistency is crucial for frying. (Pro Tip: Adding oil to the batter helps the fried coating become crispier and allows excess oil to escape during frying, resulting in a lighter texture.)
Step 4
Evenly coat the prepared beef sirloin slices with the batter, spreading it thinly. Carefully place the battered beef into the hot oil. It should sizzle immediately and begin to fry to a golden brown.
Step 5
Now, let’s make the delicious Tangsooyook sauce! Julienne the onion and carrot. Finely chop about 1/3 of the chili peppers and diagonally slice the remaining 2/3. Cut about 1/3 of the green onion into small pieces and the remaining 2/3 into thicker chunks. This variety in cuts enhances the sauce’s texture and flavor.
Step 6
Heat 3 tablespoons of chili oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped chili peppers and green onions, along with the minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, infusing the oil with aromatic flavors.
Step 7
Add the julienned onion, carrot, and the diagonally sliced chili peppers to the pan. Stir-fry until the vegetables are slightly softened. Then, add 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons ketchup, and 2 tablespoons sugar. Stir well until all ingredients are combined. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed by adding more soy sauce or sugar.
Step 8
As the sauce begins to thicken, gradually pour in the starch slurry while stirring continuously until you achieve your desired sauce consistency. Finally, stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice for a touch of brightness. Your flavorful Chinese-style Tangsooyook sauce is now ready!
Step 9
The flat Tangsooyook itself is a fantastic dish! The contrast between the crispy exterior and tender interior is exceptional, and its savory aroma is a perfect match for a cold beer!
Step 10
For an enhanced dining experience, pour only half of the sweet, sour, and slightly spicy sauce over the fried Tangsooyook. This method helps maintain the crispiness of the coating while allowing the sauce flavors to permeate. Adjust the amount of sauce to your preference.
Step 11
Enjoy your wonderful homemade Chef Lee Yeon-bok style flat Tangsooyook and make your mealtime special! Bon appétit!
