Savory and Sweet Braised Potatoes: A Classic Korean Side Dish
Basic Braised Potatoes (Gamja Jorim)
This is a recipe learned on the first day (Oct 29) of culinary school. It’s a simple yet incredibly delicious Korean side dish, perfect for any meal. The savory and slightly sweet sauce coats tender potatoes and onions, making it a true rice companion.
Main Ingredients- 2 medium potatoes
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 medium onion
Braising Sauce Ingredients- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp corn syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp corn syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by thoroughly washing and peeling the potatoes. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm cubes. To ensure a cleaner texture and better flavor absorption, rinse the cut potatoes under cold running water 2-3 times to remove excess starch. Soaking them briefly in cold water while you prepare other ingredients is also a good idea.
Step 2
In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, corn syrup, sugar, and mirin. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved and all ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Having your braising sauce ready beforehand makes the cooking process much smoother.
Step 3
Peel the garlic cloves and trim off the hard root end. Then, using the side of your knife or the knife itself, cut each garlic clove in half lengthwise. This preparation helps to release more garlic flavor into the braising liquid.
Step 4
Peel the onion and wash it. Cut the onion into bite-sized pieces, similar in size to the potatoes (about 2-3 cm). The natural sweetness of the onion will complement the savory sauce beautifully.
Step 5
Now, let’s start cooking. Heat a little cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the prepared potatoes and stir-fry them until their edges start to look slightly translucent. This step helps to develop a better texture. Once the potatoes are slightly translucent, pour in the prepared braising sauce. Bring the sauce to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
Step 6
When the sauce has reduced by about half, add the halved garlic cloves and the chopped onions to the pan. Gently toss to coat the ingredients with the sauce. Continue to simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens further and coats the potatoes and onions with a glossy sheen. This should take approximately 5-7 minutes. Your delicious braised potatoes are ready to be served!
