Gyeongjang Yuksa (Stir-fried Pork with Black Bean Sauce)
An Easy and Delicious Chinese Dish: Making Gyeongjang Yuksa with Steamed Buns
While traditionally made with shredded pork, this recipe enhances the dish with cabbage, fish cakes, and king oyster mushrooms for an even more satisfying and hearty meal. Enjoy a flavorful experience with the rich flavors of the black bean sauce and a delightful mix of textures.
Main Ingredients- 180g thinly sliced pork (for Japchae)
- 40g king oyster mushrooms
- 2 sheets of fish cakes
- 1 large napa cabbage leaf
- 1/2 onion
- 1 egg white
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 pinches of salt
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 6 frozen steamed buns (Hwaban)
Black Bean Sauce Ingredients- 1.5 Tbsp Chunjang (Korean black bean paste)
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
Garnish Vegetables- A little scallion
- A little bell pepper
- A little carrot
- 1.5 Tbsp Chunjang (Korean black bean paste)
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
Garnish Vegetables- A little scallion
- A little bell pepper
- A little carrot
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, in a bowl, combine the 180g of thinly sliced pork with 1 egg white, 1 Tbsp cornstarch, and 2 pinches of salt. Gently knead everything together until well combined and let it marinate for at least 10 minutes. This marinating process helps keep the pork tender and juicy while cooking, and allows the sauce to adhere better.
Step 2
Coating the pork with cornstarch is a key step! It ensures that when you stir-fry it with the black bean sauce, the meat remains wonderfully tender and the sauce clings beautifully, amplifying the overall flavor. Don’t skip this!
Step 3
While the pork is marinating, prepare your vegetables. Thinly slice the onion, fish cakes, and napa cabbage leaf. Gently wash the king oyster mushrooms and then tear them along their natural grain into bite-sized pieces.
Step 4
Next, prepare the garnish vegetables: thinly slice the scallion, carrot, and bell pepper. For the scallions, after slicing them thinly, soak them in cold water for about 5 minutes to mellow out their pungent flavor. This step adds a nice freshness. Cucumbers also make a great addition if you have them.
Step 5
Now, let’s make the delicious black bean sauce. In a separate bowl, combine 1.5 Tbsp of Chunjang (Korean black bean paste), 1 Tbsp of oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp of sugar, and 2 Tbsp of cooking oil. Stir well until the sugar has dissolved. This simple mixture forms the flavorful base of the dish.
Step 6
Heat a wok or large frying pan over medium heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic and stir-fry for about 10 seconds until fragrant. Then, add the marinated pork and stir-fry, breaking up any clumps, until it turns white.
Step 7
It’s important to cook the pork over medium heat rather than high heat. This gentle cooking method ensures the pork remains moist and tender throughout, rather than becoming tough or dry. Cook until the pork is no longer pink.
Step 8
Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside in a clean bowl. Now, pour the prepared black bean sauce into the same pan and let it simmer over low heat. Stir occasionally until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 9
When the black bean sauce is gently simmering and has thickened, add all the prepared vegetables (onion, fish cakes, napa cabbage, king oyster mushrooms) to the pan. Stir-fry them over medium heat until the vegetables just begin to soften.
Step 10
As the vegetables start to wilt, return the cooked pork to the pan. Stir everything together gently for another moment to ensure all the ingredients are well combined with the sauce. Be careful not to overcook at this stage.
Step 11
Since the pork is already cooked, you only need to stir-fry briefly to meld the flavors. This ensures that the textures of all the ingredients remain distinct and enjoyable, creating a harmonious dish.
Step 12
Finally, prepare the steamed buns. Place the frozen steamed buns in a steamer basket and cover. Steam them over boiling water for about 5 minutes, or until they are hot, fluffy, and tender. This will make them the perfect accompaniment to the Gyeongjang Yuksa.
Step 13
And there you have it – a delicious and hearty Gyeongjang Yuksa, bursting with the savory flavor of black bean sauce! Serve it with the warm, fluffy steamed buns for an incredibly satisfying meal. This dish is perfect for special occasions or a delightful family dinner.
