Delicious Homemade Marinated Shrimp (Saeu-jang)
#SumineBancheon Inspired Soy-Marinated Shrimp: A Salty-Sweet Delight You Can’t Stop Craving!
This recipe is inspired by Chef Kim Su-mi’s famous soy-marinated crab (Ganjang-gejang) from the popular show ‘Sumine Banchan’. Instead of relying on seasonal blue crabs, we’ll use fresh shrimp to create a similarly addictive, salty-sweet marinated shrimp (Saeu-jang). While the original Ganjang-gejang marinade is complex, this version simplifies it with readily available ingredients, ensuring delicious results. Chef Kim Su-mi’s method involves making a broth first and adding soy sauce later, using soju and cider. Here, we substitute soju with cooking wine (cheongju) and honey for plum extract if unavailable. Although I initially found the late addition of soy sauce unusual, I followed my own method of combining water and soy sauce with the ingredients. The ingredients used are largely based on the ‘Sumine Banchan’ Ganjang-gejang marinade. This recipe offers an easy and convenient way to enjoy deeply flavorful marinated shrimp at home, perfect for a special meal or as a versatile condiment for various dishes.
🌟 Ingredients for Deep-Flavored Marinade- 2.5L Water
- 1 pack Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) Herbal Ingredients (e.g., Astragalus root, Jujube)
- 3 slices Cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves Ginger
- 9 whole Garlic cloves
- 3 Bay leaves
- 10 Black peppercorns
- 1 Onion
- 1 Apple
- 3 Tbsp Chili seeds
- 5 Dried small red chilies (or regular dried chilies)
- 3 sheets Dried kelp (Dashima)
- 1/2 cup Dried anchovy and dried pollack for broth base (natural seasoning)
- 3 Dried shiitake mushrooms
- 3 Leek roots
- 300ml Soy sauce for cooking
- 1/3 cup Honey (or plum extract)
- 1/3 cup Cooking wine (Cheongju) (or soju)
- 1 cup Cider (or Sprite/7-Up)
🦐 Ingredients for Marinated Shrimp- 2.5 cups Prepared marinade
- 1 Red chili
- 1 Green chili (e.g., Serrano or Jalapeño)
- 10 Fresh shrimp (cleaned, deveined, with antennae and legs trimmed)
- 2.5 cups Prepared marinade
- 1 Red chili
- 1 Green chili (e.g., Serrano or Jalapeño)
- 10 Fresh shrimp (cleaned, deveined, with antennae and legs trimmed)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by pouring 2.5 liters of water into a large pot. This will form the base of our flavorful marinade.
Step 2
Prepare the ingredients for the aromatic broth. Place the Samgyetang herbal ingredients (like astragalus root and jujube), cinnamon sticks, ginger, and whole garlic cloves into a mesh bag or a large tea strainer. Using a bag makes it easier to remove them later.
Step 3
In another mesh bag, combine the onion, apple, and bay leaves. These ingredients will add natural sweetness, depth, and a pleasant aroma to the marinade.
Step 4
Now, get your soy sauce ready. You’ll need 300ml of soy sauce for cooking.
Step 5
Add the two mesh bags (containing the herbal ingredients and aromatics) to the pot of water. Bring to a boil over high heat for 30 minutes. Then, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 1 hour. Finally, lower the heat to low and continue to simmer gently for another 30 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld. This initial simmering process will take a total of 2 hours.
Step 6
Prepare additional ingredients to enhance the marinade’s complexity. Place the natural seasoning (dried anchovies and pollack), dried small red chilies, chili seeds, and black peppercorns into a separate mesh bag. If you don’t have a pre-made natural seasoning mix, using dried anchovies and pollack directly is perfectly fine. While it might seem like many ingredients, you can achieve a delicious marinade even with common items like leek roots, shiitake mushrooms, cinnamon, ginger, garlic, bay leaves, and dried chilies if you don’t have everything on the list.
Step 7
After the initial 2-hour simmer, carefully remove and discard the first mesh bag (with the herbal ingredients and ginger). Now, add the second mesh bag (containing the natural seasoning, dried chilies, chili seeds, and peppercorns) to the pot. Continue to simmer for another 20 minutes. This infusion step further deepens the marinade’s flavor.
Step 8
Remove and discard all the mesh bags from the pot. The broth is now beautifully infused. Stir in the honey (or plum extract) for sweetness and gloss, the cooking wine (or soju) to cut through richness and add depth, and the cider for a touch of crispness and sweetness. Mix everything well.
Step 9
Allow the prepared marinade to cool down completely. It’s crucial that the marinade is fully chilled before pouring it over the shrimp to maintain their freshness and allow the flavors to soak in properly. This versatile marinade can also be used for marinating crabs or other seafood. Making a larger batch and storing it in the refrigerator will provide you with a valuable and convenient ingredient for many delicious dishes.
Step 10
Prepare your fresh shrimp. Trim off the sharp antennae and the spiny legs for easier eating and better marinade penetration.
Step 11
Once the marinade has completely cooled, pour it over the prepared shrimp. Ensure the shrimp are fully submerged in the liquid. Place the container in the refrigerator or a kimchi refrigerator and let it marinate for 3 to 4 days. This resting period allows the shrimp to absorb the savory flavors.
Step 12
After 3 to 4 days of marination, it’s time to re-boil the marinade. Carefully remove the shrimp from the marinade and pour the liquid back into a pot. Re-boil the marinade. This second boiling step enhances the marinade’s flavor profile and helps preserve it.
Step 13
Let the re-boiled marinade cool down completely once more. While the marinade is cooling, thinly slice the red chili and green chili. The green chili adds a pleasant kick; adjust the amount based on your spice preference.
Step 14
Pour the cooled, re-boiled marinade back over the shrimp. Return the container to the refrigerator and let it marinate for another week. After a week, your shrimp will be perfectly seasoned and incredibly delicious! The leftover marinade is also fantastic poured over steamed rice with a knob of butter for a simple yet luxurious ‘butter rice’.
Step 15
Voilà! Your perfectly marinated shrimp (Saeu-jang) are ready. Notice the rich, deep color of the marinade and how it has beautifully coated the shrimp. Garnish with finely chopped scallions and toasted sesame seeds for an appealing presentation. Enjoy this delightful rice-stealing dish!
