Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Baby Octopus and Pork Belly
The Ultimate Jjusam-bokkeum (Spicy Stir-fried Baby Octopus and Pork Belly) Recipe! From Preparing Baby Octopus to Secret Flavorful Sauce
Experience the perfect harmony of chewy baby octopus and savory pork belly in a spicy and sweet sauce that will instantly boost your appetite. This Jjusam-bokkeum is perfect as a side dish with rice or as a delicious snack with drinks.
Main Ingredients
- 3 baby octopuses (approx. 300g)
- 200g pork belly
- 1/3 onion
- 1/5 carrot
- 1/2 green onion
- 1 red chili pepper
- Flour (for cleaning baby octopus)
Pork Belly Marinade
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- Pinch of black pepper
Spicy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp maesil-cheong (plum syrup)
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- Pinch of black pepper
Spicy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp maesil-cheong (plum syrup)
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start with how to properly prepare the baby octopus for its wonderfully chewy texture. First, use scissors to cut off the head part of the baby octopus. If you cut near where the head connects to the body, you can easily remove the internal organs.
Step 2
After cutting off the head, you’ll see the entrails and eyes inside. Use a knife or scissors to carefully remove them. Thoroughly cleaning the insides will prevent any unpleasant fishy taste and ensure a delicious dish.
Step 3
There’s a hard beak-like part at the base of the octopus tentacles. Carefully cut this off with a knife. This part can be unpleasant to chew, so be sure to remove it.
Step 4
Place the prepared baby octopus in a bowl and add about 2-3 tablespoons of flour. Gently knead the octopus with the flour. The flour will absorb any impurities and slimy mucus, making the octopus clean. Knead thoroughly, then rinse under cold running water several times and drain well.
Step 5
Now, let’s make the key component for our delicious Jjusam-bokkeum: the sauce. In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1.5 Tbsp gochujang, 2 Tbsp maesil-cheong, and 1 Tbsp honey. Mix them well. You can add sugar if you like it sweeter. This sauce can be used in various stir-fry dishes.
Step 6
Marinating the pork belly is also important! Add 1 Tbsp soy sauce and a pinch of black pepper to the pork belly and gently mix. Let it sit for a bit; this helps remove any gamey smell and adds flavor.
Step 7
Prepare the vegetables for stir-frying. Slice the onion thickly, and the carrot into similar sized pieces. Chop the green onion diagonally, and finely chop the red chili pepper after removing the seeds. Having the vegetables prepped beforehand makes the stir-frying process much smoother.
Step 8
Add half of the prepared sauce to the marinated pork belly and mix thoroughly with your hands. Marinating the pork belly this way allows the flavors to deeply penetrate, making it much tastier. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
Step 9
Heat 2 Tbsp cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the marinated pork belly and sliced carrots, and stir-fry for about 3-5 minutes, just until the carrots are slightly tender. Once the pork belly is partially cooked, push it to one side of the pan.
Step 10
Now, increase the heat to high. In the empty space of the pan, add the prepared baby octopus, the remaining sauce, and the sliced onion, green onion, and red chili pepper. Stir-frying on high heat quickly ensures the baby octopus remains tender and crisp. Cook for about 2-3 minutes.
Step 11
When all the ingredients are cooked and the wonderful aroma fills the air, just before turning off the heat, add 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil and a pinch of sesame seeds. Stir gently to combine. The sesame oil and seeds add a rich, nutty flavor.
Step 12
Your delicious, spicy, and sweet Jjusam-bokkeum with tender baby octopus and savory pork belly is complete! It’s wonderful served over hot rice as a rice bowl, or wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves. Enjoy a delightful meal tonight with this irresistible Jjusam-bokkeum!
