Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Octopus with Vegetables
A Delicious Stir-fry of Spicy Octopus and Crisp Vegetables
Last night, I whipped up this delicious stir-fried octopus with vegetables using ingredients I had on hand. It was so good, I wish I could have it again! I bought 4 fresh, domestically sourced octopuses at the market. The ones I bought seemed to be a type called ‘dol-nakji,’ which were a bit different from the usual mud octopuses, resulting in an incredibly tender texture when stir-fried. It’s crucial not to overcook octopus, as it quickly becomes tough and unappetizing. While adding a lot of vegetables can sometimes make a stir-fry watery and bland, this time it turned out perfectly balanced, with just the right amount of moisture. It’s a fantastic side dish or a delightful appetizer!
Main Ingredients
- 4 fresh octopuses (cleaned)
- Cabbage (appropriate amount)
- Zucchini (appropriate amount)
- Red chili pepper (1-2)
- Green onion (1/2 stalk)
Seasoning
- 2-3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- A pinch of Sesame oil
- A pinch of Sesame seeds
- 2-3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- A pinch of Sesame oil
- A pinch of Sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The octopuses are already cleaned. If there’s any remaining ink sac, you can rub them with a little flour and rinse thoroughly to remove any impurities. Rinse them clean and pat dry.
Step 2
Let’s add some fresh vegetables from the fridge to enhance the flavor of the stir-fry. Chop the cabbage, zucchini, green onion, and red chili pepper into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm). Be careful not to slice them too thinly, or they might become mushy during cooking.
Step 3
Heat a deep pan over high heat. Add the prepared octopus and stir-fry briefly. Once the octopus starts to change color, add all the seasoning ingredients (gochugaru, gochujang, soy sauce, sugar, and minced garlic). Stir-fry quickly for about 1-2 minutes, ensuring the octopus doesn’t become tough from overcooking.
Step 4
Once the seasoning coats the octopus evenly, add the chopped vegetables and continue to stir-fry over high heat. Cook just until the vegetables are slightly softened, retaining a bit of their crunch. Finally, drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds for added aroma. Turn off the heat. You can serve the stir-fry directly from the pan to keep it warm and enjoy it immediately. If you’d like a more substantial meal, consider serving it with boiled noodles to mix in. Enjoy your delicious dinner!
