Spicy and Sweet Grilled Dried Pollack (Hwangtae)
How to Make Delicious Spicy and Sweet Grilled Dried Pollack!
Dried pollack, which has been repeatedly frozen and thawed in drying sheds throughout the winter, becomes a tender, high-protein delicacy known as ‘Hwangtae’. While often used in soups, when coated in a spicy and sweet sauce and grilled until tender, it makes for an excellent side dish with rice or a delightful accompaniment to drinks. Enjoy the rich umami flavor without any fishiness!
Main Ingredients
- 1 Dried Pollack (Hwangtae)
- 1/2 tsp Sweet Rice Flour (Chapssalgaru)
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Red Chili Pepper, minced
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Minced Green Onion
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1.5 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Wine (Mirin or similar)
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup or Rice Syrup (Jocheong)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 2 Tbsp Minced Green Onion
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1.5 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Wine (Mirin or similar)
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup or Rice Syrup (Jocheong)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the dried pollack. Using kitchen scissors, carefully trim off the head, tail, and fins.
Step 2
Lightly dampen the dried pollack under running water. Place it in an airtight container or a plastic bag and refrigerate for about 10-15 minutes. This step helps to rehydrate and soften the pollack, making it easier to cook.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the delicious sauce for the grilled dried pollack. In a bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients and mix them thoroughly until well combined.
Step 4
Take the softened dried pollack out of the refrigerator. Make several diagonal slits, about 2-3 cm apart, along the back of the pollack. These cuts will help the sauce penetrate deeply into the fish, enhancing its flavor.
Step 5
Brush both sides of the dried pollack evenly with sesame oil. The sesame oil will add a wonderful aroma and a rich, nutty flavor.
Step 6
Lightly sprinkle sweet rice flour over the surface of the dried pollack. When grilled, the sweet rice flour will help create a slightly crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender. It also aids in the sauce adhering better to the fish.
Step 7
Heat a little cooking oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Place the prepared dried pollack in the pan and grill until both sides are golden brown and lightly crisped.
Step 8
Once the pollack has turned golden brown, brush the prepared sauce generously over both sides. Reduce the heat to low to prevent burning. Continue to flip the pollack occasionally, allowing the sauce to thicken and glaze the fish beautifully. The enticing aroma of spicy and sweet will start to fill your kitchen!
Step 9
Finally, transfer the delicious grilled dried pollack to a serving plate. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions, minced red chili pepper, and toasted sesame seeds for a visually appealing and flavorful finish. Serve hot with rice for a delightful meal!
