Grill-Restaurant Style Spicy Pork Bulgogi
Experience the Flavor of a Korean Eatery at Home! Ryu Soo-young’s Smoky Pork Foreleg Bulgogi Recipe (Perfect Marinade Ratio)
Let’s recreate the incredibly popular Ryu Soo-young recipe from ‘Pyeon Storang’ using affordable pork foreleg! This recipe delivers a delicious, smoky ‘bulgogi’ that rivals any local eatery, making it a perfect dish to enjoy at home.
Main Ingredients
- Pork Foreleg 600g
- 1 Leek
Marinade Ingredients
- Pear Juice (from concentrate) 130ml
- 3 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 6 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- Pear Juice (from concentrate) 130ml
- 3 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 6 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a large bowl, pour 130ml of pear juice (available commercially). This pear juice will tenderize the meat and add a subtle sweetness.
Step 2
Add 3 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of vinegar for a touch of acidity, and 2 tablespoons of minced garlic for flavor. Whisk everything together thoroughly to create the marinade base.
Step 3
Add 600g of pork foreleg to the marinade and gently mix with your hands, ensuring each piece is well-coated. The vinegar helps to eliminate any porky odor and further tenderizes the meat.
Step 4
Wash and thinly slice 1 leek diagonally. Add the sliced leek to the bowl with the marinated pork. The leek’s mild pungent flavor complements the pork beautifully.
Step 5
Finally, add 6 tablespoons of soy sauce for umami and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil to finish the rich aroma.
Step 6
Gently knead the meat and marinade again to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. Let the marinated pork sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or for an even deeper flavor, refrigerate overnight.
Step 7
Now it’s time to cook! Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add the marinated pork. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes. During this initial stage, avoid stirring too much; allow the meat to caramelize and lightly brown on the bottom of the pan. This creates the foundation for the smoky flavor.
Step 8
Once the pork starts to caramelize, quickly toss and stir-fry to prevent burning. This rapid stirring is crucial to achieve the signature smoky ‘wok hei’ flavor. Ensure the sauce coats the meat evenly.
Step 9
Your delicious, smoky pork bulgogi in the style of Ryu Soo-young is ready! Enjoy it with a bowl of hot rice.
