Savory Pork and Chive Stir-fry (Japchae Style)
A Chinese-inspired Dish Perfect with Steamed Buns – Savory Pork and Chive Stir-fry
This delightful Chinese-inspired stir-fry, featuring tender pork and fragrant chives, is best enjoyed with fluffy steamed buns. We’ve stir-fried plenty of pork with chives and bell peppers, creating a dish rich in flavor. The combination of ingredients makes for a wonderfully satisfying meal that’s both comforting and appetizing.
Main Ingredients- Pork loin 300g (sliced for stir-fry or cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Chives 1 handful (approx. 100g)
- Green bell pepper 1
- Red chili peppers 3 (for color, adjust quantity for spice)
- Onion 1/2
Seasoning and Stir-frying Ingredients- Chili oil 1 Tbsp
- Vegetable oil a little (if needed)
- Oyster sauce 2 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds a little (for garnish)
Pork Marinade- Cooking wine (like Cheongju) 1 Tbsp (to remove gamey smell)
- Salt a pinch
- Black pepper a pinch
- Cornstarch 1.5 Tbsp (for tenderness)
- Chili oil 1 Tbsp
- Vegetable oil a little (if needed)
- Oyster sauce 2 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds a little (for garnish)
Pork Marinade- Cooking wine (like Cheongju) 1 Tbsp (to remove gamey smell)
- Salt a pinch
- Black pepper a pinch
- Cornstarch 1.5 Tbsp (for tenderness)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables. Rinse the chives thoroughly and cut them into 5cm lengths. Finely julienne the green bell pepper, removing the seeds, along with the onion. Thinly slice the red chili peppers diagonally, removing seeds, for a more appealing presentation.
Step 2
Next, marinate the pork. Add 1 Tbsp of cooking wine to the pork loin to eliminate any gamey odor. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Finally, add 1.5 Tbsp of cornstarch and gently mix everything together. This step ensures the pork stays tender and absorbs flavors well. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes.
Step 3
Heat a little vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork and stir-fry, breaking up any clumps with chopsticks or a spatula. Cook until the pork is just browned on the outside.
Step 4
Pour off or wipe away most of the oil from the pan, leaving about 1 Tbsp. Add 1 Tbsp of chili oil to the pan. First, add the sliced onions and stir-fry until they become translucent and fragrant. Then, add the julienned green bell pepper and sliced red chili peppers, stir-frying briefly until they are crisp-tender.
Step 5
Now, return the cooked pork to the pan. Add 2 Tbsp of oyster sauce and stir-fry everything together until well combined and coated. Ensure the oyster sauce evenly coats all the ingredients.
Step 6
Finally, add the prepared chives to the pan. Stir-fry over high heat for just a very short time (about 30 seconds to 1 minute). Chives wilt quickly, so avoid overcooking to maintain their crisp texture – this is key! Just before turning off the heat, sprinkle with sesame seeds for an added nutty aroma. Serve generously with warm steamed buns for a complete and delicious meal!
