Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Baby Octopus (Jjukkumi Bokkeum)
Authentic Jjukkumi Bokkeum Recipe
A burst of flavor to awaken your appetite! This Jjukkumi Bokkeum (stir-fried baby octopus) recipe combines a delightful spicy and sweet sauce with tender, chewy baby octopus. It’s simple to make yet incredibly delicious, a true rice thief! We’ll share a secret to ensure your success. Enhanced with the fragrant freshness of crown daisy (minari), this foolproof Jjukkumi Bokkeum is perfect for a wonderful meal.
Main Ingredients
- 400g cleaned baby octopus
- 200g crown daisy (minari, about 1 bunch)
Sauce Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cheongju (rice wine) or cooking wine
- Pinch of ginger powder (optional)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cheongju (rice wine) or cooking wine
- Pinch of ginger powder (optional)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the baby octopus thoroughly under cold running water. (I’m using pre-cleaned octopus.) Wash the crown daisy, drain well, and cut it into about 4-5 cm lengths.
Step 2
Let’s prepare the delicious sauce for the Jjukkumi Bokkeum! In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp gochujang, 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp cheongju, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and a pinch of ginger powder. Mix everything together thoroughly with a spoon until well combined. Ensure there are no lumps in the sauce.
Step 3
From here on, speed is key! Heat a wok or a deep frying pan over high heat. Once the pan is hot, add 1 Tbsp of cooking oil and toss in the cut crown daisy. Stir-fry very quickly over high heat for just 10 seconds. *Tip: Since we’re cooking the octopus directly without blanching, overcooking the crown daisy will make it wilt and lose its fresh texture. Stir-fry it briefly to maintain its crispness!
Step 4
After stir-frying the crown daisy for 10 seconds, add all the prepared sauce to the pan and stir-fry again for another 10 seconds over high heat. Quickly mix to coat the crown daisy with the sauce.
Step 5
Add the prepared baby octopus to the pan. Keep the heat on high and stir-fry until the octopus is cooked through and plump. *Important: Baby octopus can become tough if overcooked, so aim for a total cooking time of under 1 minute. While stir-frying, continuously use your spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan, ensuring the octopus is evenly coated with the sauce and cooks uniformly.
Step 6
Once the octopus and vegetables are well-cooked and the sauce has melded beautifully, sprinkle 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds over the top for a nutty finish and serve.
Step 7
Your chewy, spicy, and sweet Jjukkumi Bokkeum is ready! It’s delicious served over a bowl of warm rice or enjoyed as a side dish. Enjoy your meal!
