Crispy Water Parsley and Chewy Octopus Stir-fry: A Perfect Spicy Delight!
Spicy Stir-fried Octopus
This stir-fried octopus dish features the wonderful combination of crisp water parsley and chewy, spicy octopus. The crunchy texture and the sweet and spicy sauce make it an irresistible rice companion. It’s easy to make at home for a special meal.
Main Ingredients- 5-6 medium octopuses (frozen, thawed)
- 1 onion (thickly sliced)
- 5-6 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
- 1/4 carrot (half-moon slices)
- 1 green onion (chopped)
- 1/2 bunch water parsley (cut into 7cm lengths)
Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 3 Tbsp corn syrup or honey (adjust sweetness)
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust spiciness)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 3 Tbsp corn syrup or honey (adjust sweetness)
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust spiciness)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
If using frozen octopus, thaw it by soaking it in cold running water until naturally defrosted. Allow ample time for complete thawing.
Step 2
If the octopus is not pre-cleaned, make an incision near the head to remove the innards and ink sac. For the tentacles, sprinkle generously with flour and rub them as if washing laundry. This helps remove any remaining debris and slime from the suckers, ensuring a cleaner result.
Step 3
Octopus can become tough if overcooked, and too much moisture can be lost during stir-frying, leading to a dry texture. To prevent this, briefly blanch the octopus in boiling water for about 1-2 minutes. This step helps maintain its tender texture.
Step 4
In a bowl, combine all the seasoning ingredients (gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, corn syrup, gochugaru) to create the sauce mixture. Preparing the sauce beforehand makes cooking much more convenient.
Step 5
Drain the blanched octopus and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Marinate the octopus in the prepared sauce mixture, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to penetrate deeply into the octopus, resulting in a much more delicious stir-fry. (Important: Ensure the octopus head is fully cooked before consuming. If any parts of the head remain, boil them further until thoroughly cooked.)
Step 6
Peel and thinly slice the garlic. The garlic will add a wonderful aromatic depth to the dish.
Step 7
Peel the onion and slice it into thick strips. As it cooks, the onion will release its sweetness, balancing the overall flavor profile.
Step 8
Wash the carrot thoroughly, peel it, and slice it into attractive half-moon shapes.
Step 9
Chop the green onion into bite-sized pieces. Its fresh aroma complements the octopus wonderfully.
Step 10
Heat a little oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté gently until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden brown. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 11
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the sliced onion and carrot to the pan. Stir-fry over medium heat until the vegetables become slightly tender and translucent.
Step 12
Now, add the marinated octopus to the pan. Increase the heat to high and stir-fry quickly. It’s crucial to stir-fry briskly to combine the ingredients and cook the octopus, which will turn bright red as it cooks.
Step 13
If you like, you can add pre-soaked rice cakes or tteokbokki rice cakes to the stir-fry. They will absorb the delicious sauce and make for a delightful addition.
Step 14
Finally, add the water parsley (cut into 7cm lengths) and the chopped green onion. Stir-fry over high heat for just about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Water parsley cooks quickly and loses its crispness if overcooked. The fresh moisture released by the water parsley will make the stir-fry even more succulent and flavorful!
Step 15
As soon as the water parsley wilts slightly, turn off the heat. Drizzle in a few drops of sesame oil and give it a final quick stir to finish. The nutty aroma of sesame oil will enhance the overall flavor.
