Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Bean Sprouts with Pork Belly
Baek Jong-won Style Stir-fried Bean Sprouts with Pork Belly (Kongbul) Made with Thinly Sliced Pork Belly
We made Kongbul using thinly sliced pork belly! This recipe is a delicious and satisfying meal, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend treat. The combination of tender pork belly, crunchy bean sprouts, and a savory-spicy sauce is incredibly addictive and pairs perfectly with rice.
Main Ingredients
- 500g thinly sliced pork belly (adds richness and savory flavor)
- 500g thinly sliced pork neck (for a leaner taste, you can use only pork belly if preferred)
- 1 bag bean sprouts (approx. 500g, for a crisp texture)
- 1/2 onion, sliced (adds sweetness and aroma)
- 2 Korean green chilies, diagonally sliced (optional, for extra spiciness)
- 1 stalk green onion, roughly chopped (adds freshness)
Seasoning Mix
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce (or tuna extract)
- 4 Tbsp corn syrup (or sugar, for sweetness and shine)
- 1 tsp dashida (beef or anchovy stock powder)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (or mirin, to remove pork odor)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil (for nutty flavor)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for aroma)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce (or tuna extract)
- 4 Tbsp corn syrup (or sugar, for sweetness and shine)
- 1 tsp dashida (beef or anchovy stock powder)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (or mirin, to remove pork odor)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil (for nutty flavor)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for aroma)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your main ingredients: thinly sliced pork belly and pork neck. Using a mix of both creates a nice balance between the richness of pork belly and the leaner texture of pork neck. If you prefer a richer dish, you can use 1kg of pork belly alone.
Step 2
Rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly under cold water and drain them well. Fresh bean sprouts are key for a good crunch in this dish.
Step 3
Slice the onion thinly, cut the green chilies diagonally, and roughly chop the green onion. Feel free to adjust the amount of vegetables according to your preference.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning mix. In a bowl, combine gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, fish sauce, corn syrup, dashida, black pepper, cooking wine, minced garlic, and perilla oil. Mix everything together until well combined. The cooking wine helps to tenderize the meat and remove any unwanted odors.
Step 5
In a large wok or deep pan, spread the entire bag of washed bean sprouts evenly across the bottom. This ensures they cook evenly and absorb the flavors well.
Step 6
Layer the thinly sliced pork belly and pork neck on top of the bean sprouts. Then, scatter the sliced onions, green chilies, and green onions over the meat. This adds color and more flavor.
Step 7
Pour the prepared seasoning mix evenly over the meat and vegetables. Make sure to cover everything well. Cover the wok with a lid and start cooking over medium heat.
Step 8
Once the mixture starts boiling, the pork will begin to cook and release its juices. Carefully open the lid and gently stir everything together with a spatula, mixing the pork, bean sprouts, vegetables, and sauce. This step is crucial to ensure everything is coated and cooks evenly.
Step 9
Cover the wok again and continue to cook until the pork is fully cooked through. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and adjust the heat as needed.
Step 10
Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If it’s too salty, you can add a little more sugar or corn syrup. If it’s not spicy enough, add more gochugaru. Adjust to your personal preference!
Step 11
Once everything is cooked and seasoned to perfection, turn off the heat. Drizzle in the sesame oil and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds just before serving. This adds a final touch of aroma and nutty flavor. Enjoy your delicious Kongbul with a side of hot steamed rice!
