Crispy & Spicy-Sweet Kkanpung Mandu
Easy and Delicious Kkanpung Mandu Recipe Using Frozen Dumplings
Try this delightful snack or late-night meal made with crispy fried frozen dumplings coated in a savory, spicy-sweet sauce! It’s an addictive flavor that both kids and adults will love.
Main Ingredients- 7 frozen dumplings
- 1/4 onion
- 1/4 red bell pepper
- 1 Cheongyang chili pepper (add for more heat)
- Small amount of green onion (white parts preferred)
- Generous amount of cooking oil
- A little sesame oil (for finishing)
Kkanpung Sauce- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- 1 Tbsp oligosaccharide (or corn syrup)
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1 tsp Buldak sauce (or a little gochujang)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- 1 Tbsp oligosaccharide (or corn syrup)
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1 tsp Buldak sauce (or a little gochujang)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Finely chop all your vegetables. Dice the onion and red bell pepper coarsely. Mince the Cheongyang chili pepper (seeds removed for less heat) to add a spicy kick. Finely chop the white parts of the green onion. You can adjust the size of the vegetables to your preference.
Step 2
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Once hot, carefully place the frozen dumplings in the pan. Fry them, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and delightfully crispy on all sides. Crispy dumpling skins are key to the best Kkanpung Mandu texture.
Step 3
Remove the crispy fried dumplings and set them aside on a plate. Pour out most of the oil, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons in the pan, or gently wipe it out with a paper towel. Add the minced garlic, chopped green onions, and diced onions to the pan. Sauté over low heat until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic and onions. You want to gently release their aromas.
Step 4
Once the aromatics are fragrant, pour the soy sauce around the edges of the pan to lightly caramelize it before mixing everything together. This step enhances the soy sauce’s flavor. Then, add the diced red bell pepper and stir briefly to combine and add color.
Step 5
Now, add all the Kkanpung sauce ingredients (cooking wine, oligosaccharide, vinegar, Buldak sauce) to the pan. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat and let it cook until it slightly thickens and the flavors meld together, creating a luscious glaze. Taste and adjust seasoning or sweetness as needed.
Step 6
Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, return the fried dumplings to the pan. Keep the heat at medium and quickly toss the dumplings to coat them evenly with the sauce. Work quickly to ensure the dumplings stay crispy and don’t become soggy.
Step 7
When the dumplings are beautifully coated with the sauce, turn off the heat. Drizzle a little sesame oil over the top for extra aroma and flavor, and your delicious Kkanpung Mandu is ready! Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
