Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Baby Octopus
How to Make Delicious Stir-fried Baby Octopus (Jjukkumi Bokkeum)
Here’s a recipe for delicious stir-fried baby octopus (Jjukkumi Bokkeum), featuring a perfect balance of chewy texture and spicy-sweet sauce. We’ve used fresh baby octopus for enhanced flavor. If you prefer it spicier, feel free to add more Cheongyang peppers or chili powder. Serving it with blanched bean sprouts adds a delightful crunch and makes the dish even more satisfying. (Measurements are based on a standard Korean soup spoon)
Main Ingredients- 3 fresh baby octopuses (approx. 238g after cleaning)
- 45g cabbage
- 33g carrot
- 68g onion
- 17g green onion
- 9g Cheongyang pepper (Korean chili)
- 5g red chili pepper
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp grapeseed oil
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of black pepper
- Sprinkle of sesame seeds
Seasoning for Jjukkumi Bokkeum- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1.3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
For Cleaning Jjukkumi- 2 Tbsp flour
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1.3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
For Cleaning Jjukkumi- 2 Tbsp flour
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the baby octopus. Since the octopuses come in various sizes, place two octopuses, one larger and one smaller, into a bowl for preparation. (The cleaned weight should be around 238g).
Step 2
Using scissors, make a small cut between the tentacles and the head of the baby octopus. Then, turn the head inside out and gently pull out the internal organs and any other unwanted parts.
Step 3
Carefully trim the eyes of the baby octopus using scissors.
Step 4
Spread the tentacles apart to find the tough beak located in the center. Press down on the beak with your fingertip; it should pop upwards, allowing you to easily remove it by hand.
Step 5
Once the baby octopus is cleaned, place it in a bowl and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of flour. Wearing rubber gloves, rub the octopus thoroughly. This process will remove any sliminess and hidden impurities.
Step 6
Rinse the cleaned baby octopus under running water several times until the water runs clear. Drain it well in a colander.
Step 7
Prepare the vegetables. Cut the cabbage into bite-sized pieces.
Step 8
Slice the onion and carrot into thin strips, about 3mm thick. Chop the green onion, Cheongyang pepper, and red chili pepper finely. Also, prepare 1 tablespoon of minced garlic.
Step 9
Now, let’s stir-fry. In a wok or large pan, add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, the chopped green onion, and 1.5 tablespoons of grapeseed oil. Stir-fry over medium heat until the garlic and green onion release their fragrant aroma.
Step 10
Once fragrant, add the prepared baby octopus to the pan. Then, add the seasoning ingredients: 1 tablespoon of gochujang, 1.3 tablespoons of gochugaru, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
Step 11
Keeping the heat on medium, stir-fry for about 20-30 seconds, ensuring the octopus is evenly coated with the sauce. Be careful not to burn the sauce.
Step 12
Add the prepared vegetables: cabbage, carrot, onion, Cheongyang pepper, and red chili pepper.
Step 13
Stir-fry the baby octopus and vegetables together for about 30 seconds. As the octopus cooks, it may release some liquid, creating a sauce. If there’s too much liquid, continue stir-frying over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes to let it reduce. (Tip: If you clean and refrigerate the baby octopus beforehand, it may release less moisture, potentially skipping the reduction step.)
Step 14
Taste the stir-fried baby octopus and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Add a little more soy sauce if it’s too bland, or a touch more sugar if you desire more sweetness. Then, turn off the heat.
Step 15
Finally, drizzle in 0.5 tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty aroma.
Step 16
Sprinkle a pinch of black pepper for added flavor and give it one final gentle toss to combine.
Step 17
Serve the delicious spicy and sweet stir-fried baby octopus on a plate, and finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Your Jjukkumi Bokkeum is ready to enjoy!
