Spicy and Sweet Stir-Fried Octopus (Nakji Bokkeum)
Spicy & Sweet! Let’s Cook with Octopus! Making Delicious Stir-Fried Octopus!
Hello everyone! Today is one of those days when I’m craving something spicy! Today, we’ll be making a delicious ‘Stir-Fried Octopus’ with fresh octopus. It’s a dish that’s perfect for a flavorful meal!
Main Ingredients- 1 Octopus, cleaned (approx. 200-300g)
- 30g Beef eye of round (optional, adds texture)
- 1/4 Onion
- 2 Stems Spring onion
- 2 Stems Crown daisy (for aromatic flavor)
- 4cm length Green onion
- 1 clove Garlic
- 1 slice Ginger (or a pinch of ginger powder)
Spicy & Sweet Sauce- 1 tsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 tsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/2 tsp Soy sauce
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Sesame oil
- Pinch of Black pepper
- Pinch of Toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 tsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/2 tsp Soy sauce
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Sesame oil
- Pinch of Black pepper
- Pinch of Toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the vegetables. Slice the onion thinly into strips. Finely mince the green onion, garlic, and ginger. Minced garlic and ginger will greatly enhance the sauce’s aroma and flavor.
Step 2
Cut the spring onions and crown daisies into pieces about 3-4cm long. Slice the beef eye of round thinly. Thin slices cook faster and absorb the sauce well, making them more delicious.
Step 3
Properly cleaning the octopus is essential! Rinse the octopus thoroughly. Then, scrub it well with flour or coarse salt to remove any slime. Rinse again under running water. (Tip: Removing the innards, eyes, and beak from inside the octopus head will make it cleaner.)
Step 4
Shall we make the key to delicious stir-fried octopus, the sauce? In a bowl, combine 1 tsp gochugaru, 1 tsp gochujang, 1/2 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Mix well. Add a pinch of black pepper and toasted sesame seeds, and your spicy and sweet sauce is ready!
Step 5
Let’s lightly season the beef slices. Sprinkle a tiny bit of salt and pepper on the sliced beef, add a drop or two of soy sauce, and gently mix to marinate. This will make the beef more tender and flavorful.
Step 6
Now, let’s stir-fry! Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan. Add the sliced onions and stir-fry over medium heat until they become translucent. The onions add a natural sweetness that balances the overall flavor.
Step 7
Once the onions are translucent, add the marinated beef slices and stir-fry briefly. When the beef is partly cooked, add all the prepared octopus and sauce. Stir-fry quickly over high heat. Octopus can become tough if overcooked, so sauté for only about 2-3 minutes.
Step 8
When the octopus is cooked to a mouthwatering color, turn off the heat! Finally, add the chopped crown daisies and spring onions and toss gently to combine. Serve this delicious stir-fried octopus over warm rice, and finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for a perfect presentation!
