Spicy and Sweet Pork Gochujang Stir-fry
A Deliciously Spicy and Sweet Gochujang Stir-fry Made with Pork Neck
It’s been a while since I made this delicious gochujang stir-fry with pork neck. It’s a great way to use up ingredients in the freezer! Even though it’s hot, I stayed up all night and made this recipe in the early morning. Pork neck has less fat, making it a good choice for stir-fries, and adding perilla leaves adds a wonderful fragrance and flavor to any dish. Enjoy a satisfying meal with this spicy and sweet gochujang stir-fry, a great source of protein. It’s perfect as a side dish for rice or as a rice bowl topping!
Main Ingredients- 300g Pork Neck
- 1 Green Onion
- 1 Onion
- 5 Korean Green Peppers (Ggwari Gochu)
- 1 Red or Green Chili Pepper (optional, adjust spiciness)
- 1 ladleful Tomato Sauce (optional, for added depth)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (generous tablespoon)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (or seasoned soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Wine (Mirin or Cheongju)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (or corn syrup, adjust sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Sesame Seeds
- A pinch of Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (generous tablespoon)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (or seasoned soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Wine (Mirin or Cheongju)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (or corn syrup, adjust sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Sesame Seeds
- A pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cut the pork neck into bite-sized pieces, about 4 portions. Slice the onion thinly. Remove the stems from the Korean green peppers and cut them into 2-3 pieces. If using red or green chili peppers, remove the seeds and slice them thinly. Wash the perilla leaves, pat them dry, and stack them before slicing. This prevents them from clumping together during cooking.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine the gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, plum extract, minced garlic, cooking wine, and black pepper. Mix these ingredients thoroughly, excluding the oligodang, sesame oil, and sesame seeds, to create a delicious seasoning paste. Feel free to adjust the sweetness and spiciness to your preference.
Step 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the chopped green onion and stir-fry until fragrant to create green onion oil. Once the aroma is released, increase the heat to medium-high and add the cut pork neck. Stir-fry until the surface of the pork is browned. If you’re using tomato sauce, add about a ladleful at this stage for added color and flavor. Then, add the prepared seasoning paste and stir well to coat the pork as it cooks.
Step 4
When the pork is almost cooked through, add the sliced Korean green peppers and red/green chili peppers. Stir-fry quickly over high heat for about 1-2 minutes. Turn off the heat, then add the sliced perilla leaves and give it a final quick toss. Your delicious spicy pork gochujang stir-fry is ready! Adding the perilla leaves at the end helps preserve their fresh aroma and prevents them from becoming too wilted.
Step 5
When I’m alone, I tend to eat carelessly, which makes me feel unwell. That’s why I decided I need to eat properly, and made this delicious spicy pork neck stir-fry. Even though I don’t eat much meat usually, I’m making an effort to consume more protein lately.
Step 6
I used thinly sliced pork neck with less fat, so I seasoned and stir-fried it much like bulgogi. The spicy and zesty flavor was so appetizing, and I really enjoyed it. It’s a dish that makes a bowl of rice disappear quickly.
Step 7
Adding plenty of fresh perilla leaves not only enhances the flavor but also helps to neutralize any potential porky smell, making it even more delicious. The aromatic perilla and the spicy pork create a rich taste sensation.
Step 8
Biting into the tender pork and crisp Korean green peppers together is absolutely delicious. The combination of chewy meat and tender peppers creates a delightful experience in your mouth.
Step 9
Serve it generously over a bowl of warm rice for a delicious pork rice bowl. On hot days, having one simple side dish like this makes it easy to prepare a satisfying solo meal.
Step 10
The fragrant perilla leaves and the chewy texture of the pork neck are so addictive that I find myself eating more pork than rice with this spicy pork stir-fry! The chewy texture and the sweet and spicy sauce blend perfectly, making it a true rice thief!
