Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Octopus
Make Deliciously Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Octopus – Perfect for Dinner!
Recently, I found some nicely prepared octopus on sale and immediately thought it would be perfect for a spicy stir-fry! I bought it right away. I made it a while ago and it was so delicious, it’s a perfect side dish for rice. Today, I’m sharing my recipe for spicy stir-fried octopus! The chewy octopus, crisp vegetables, and the fantastic spicy-sweet sauce come together for a flavor that everyone will love. Check it out now!
Main Ingredients- 300g prepared octopus
- 1/3 head of cabbage
- 1/2 onion
- 1/2 carrot
- 2 cheongyang chili peppers (or other hot peppers)
- 1-2 stalks of green onion
- Approx. 150g frozen shrimp (optional)
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1.5 Tbsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, heat 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the chopped green onions and stir-fry until fragrant, creating ‘green onion oil’. This step significantly enhances the flavor depth of the stir-fry.
Step 2
Once the green onion oil is fragrant, add the prepared vegetables (cabbage, onion, carrot) and minced garlic to the pan. Stir-fry over medium heat until the vegetables are slightly softened. Don’t overcook them; you want them to retain a slight crunch.
Step 3
When the vegetables begin to look translucent, especially the onions and cabbage, add all the seasoning ingredients (gochugaru, gochujang, soy sauce, sugar). Stir well to coat the vegetables evenly with the sauce. Cook for about 1 minute to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 4
Add the prepared octopus and frozen shrimp (if using) to the pan. Increase the heat to high and stir-fry quickly. Octopus can become tough if overcooked, so cook it just until its color changes. (Tip: If you have leftover frozen shrimp, adding them will make the dish even more satisfying!)
Step 5
As you stir-fry on high heat, the sauce might stick or clump. To prevent this, add about half a cup (approx. 100ml) of water. This helps to keep the ingredients from sticking together, ensures the sauce coats everything evenly, and allows the flavors to penetrate. Stir continuously while adding water and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Step 6
Finally, drizzle in the sesame oil and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. The aromatic sesame oil and seeds add a final touch of flavor. This dish is absolutely delicious served over a bowl of hot rice!
