Step 1

First, prepare all your ingredients. You’ll need about 600g of pork neck, preferably a thick cut.

Step 2

Gently tenderize the pork neck by lightly pounding both sides with the back of a knife or a meat mallet. This helps the marinade penetrate better and makes the meat more tender.

Step 3

In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the doenjang marinade sauce: 1.5 Tbsp doenjang, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp oligosaccharide, 2 Tbsp mirin, 1/2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1/3 Tbsp ginger powder, and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined and smooth.

Step 4

Add the prepared pork neck to the doenjang marinade sauce. Toss to coat each piece thoroughly with the marinade. Let the pork marinate for about 20 minutes at room temperature.

Step 5

While the pork is marinating, prepare the vegetables. Thinly slice the onion and soak it in cold water for about 10 minutes to remove any sharp or pungent flavors. Peel the carrot using a peeler and julienne it thinly, similar to the onion. Wash the chives and cut them into roughly 5cm lengths.

Step 6

Now, let’s make the dressing for the chive salad. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp sugar, 1/2 Tbsp vinegar, 1/3 Tbsp gochugaru (if using), 1/3 Tbsp sesame oil, and a pinch of sesame seeds. Mix well.

Step 7

Add the julienned carrot, onion, and the cut chives to the dressing. Gently toss everything together to coat the vegetables evenly. Be careful not to overmix or mash the vegetables, so they retain their crisp texture.

Step 8

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 Tbsp of vegetable oil. Once the pan is hot, place the marinated pork neck slices onto the skillet. Grilling on a hot pan sears the outside quickly, locking in the juices.

Step 9

Avoid overcrowding the pan. Let the pork cook undisturbed until the first side is golden brown before flipping. Flipping it when it has a nice sear rather than too early ensures a better crust.

Step 10

After flipping the pork, reduce the heat to medium-low. This allows the inside of the meat to cook through evenly without burning the exterior. Continue to cook, flipping occasionally, until the pork is done to your liking.

Step 11

Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the pan and let it rest for a moment. Then, use kitchen scissors to cut the pork into bite-sized pieces. This makes it easy to eat and share.

Step 12

Arrange the grilled pork maekjeok on a serving plate. Serve the prepared chive salad alongside it. The irresistible combination of savory doenjang-marinated pork and the refreshing chive salad makes for a truly satisfying meal. Enjoy your delicious homemade Korean grilled pork!

Step 13