Exotic Chinese Dish: Gyeongjang Yuksa (Stir-fried Pork with Vegetables)
Gyeongjang Yuksa: A Practice Dish for Chinese Cuisine Skills
I encountered the dish ‘Gyeongjang Yuksa’ for the first time! Although it turned out a bit salty, I felt a great sense of accomplishment from trying something new. Let’s make this delicious Chinese stir-fry at home!
Main Ingredients- Pork tenderloin (fist-sized)
- 1 stalk of green onion
- Ginger (equal amount to garlic)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 Tbsp sweet bean paste (Chunjang)
- Bamboo shoots (approx. 5x5cm)
- 1 clove of garlic
Seasonings & Others- 1 tsp Rice wine (Cheongju)
- 1/2 tsp Soy sauce
- 1 tsp Oyster sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 tsp Rice wine (Cheongju)
- 1/2 tsp Soy sauce
- 1 tsp Oyster sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gather all the seasoning ingredients needed for Gyeongjang Yuksa. Having the measured ingredients ready beside you will make the cooking process much smoother.
Step 2
Separate the egg white from the yolk. Thinly slice the pork tenderloin. In a bowl, combine the sliced pork with 1 Tbsp of the reserved egg white, 1 tsp of rice wine, and 1 tsp of soy sauce. Mix well to marinate. Then, add 2-3 Tbsp of cornstarch and mix again to coat the pork evenly. Finely julienne the ginger and garlic, aiming for lengths similar to the pork strips. Trim the tough core of the green onion, straighten the stalk, slice it into 5cm long strips, and soak them in cold water. This will help them stay crisp.
Step 3
You will only need about half a tablespoon of the sweet bean paste (Chunjang). When stir-frying it, use medium-low heat for about 1 minute. This ensures it becomes fragrant without burning, especially when frying a small amount. (Be careful not to burn it when frying small quantities!)
Step 4
Heat some oil in a pan. Add the marinated pork and spread it out evenly. Stir-fry quickly. In Chinese cooking, this is sometimes referred to as ‘Huǒ’ (火), meaning to ‘blanch’ or sear briefly over high heat. The goal is to cook the surface lightly without overcooking the pork.
Step 5
In a clean pan, add a little more oil. First, sauté the julienned aromatics (garlic and ginger) until fragrant. Then, add the lightly seared pork and stir-fry briefly. Add 1 tsp of oyster sauce to enhance the flavor.
Step 6
Add 1 Tbsp of sugar and stir-fry to caramelize slightly. Now, add the pre-fried sweet bean paste and stir to combine. Pour in about half a cup of water and bring to a simmer. Gradually add a cornstarch slurry (mix 2 Tbsp cornstarch with a little water) while stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency. Finish by drizzling in 1/2 Tbsp of sesame oil for shine and nutty aroma.
Step 7
Arrange the soaked green onion strips neatly on a serving plate. Spoon the flavorful stir-fried pork mixture over the top. For a more visually appealing dish and balanced flavor, consider preparing a generous amount of green onion strips.
