Spicy and Sweet Stir-Fried Squid (Ojingeo Bokkeum)
Learn How to Make Delicious Stir-Fried Squid, Inspired by Sumi’s Side Dishes
Here’s a recipe for the beloved Korean dish, Stir-Fried Squid (Ojingeo Bokkeum), inspired by the popular TV show ‘Sumi’s Side Dishes’. To achieve a wonderfully savory and slightly spicy flavor without being too heavy, this recipe uses more gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) than gochujang (Korean chili paste). If you find it needs a touch more sweetness, a tablespoon of oligo syrup added at the end will do the trick! This dish is a true ‘rice thief’ – incredibly addictive and perfect for any meal.
Main Ingredients- 3 squid
- 1 onion
- 1/2 carrot
- 1 red chili pepper
- 2 king oyster mushrooms
- 1 green chili pepper
- 3 stalks green onion
Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp oligo syrup (for sweetness adjustment, optional)
- 10 cloves garlic, minced (approx. 10 Tbsp)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp oligo syrup (for sweetness adjustment, optional)
- 10 cloves garlic, minced (approx. 10 Tbsp)
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the squid: Clean and trim 3 squid. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm in length. Separating the body and tentacles can make them easier to cook.
Step 2
Mince 10 cloves of garlic finely. Using a generous amount of garlic, as suggested in Sumi’s recipe, will significantly enhance the depth of flavor in your stir-fried squid.
Step 3
Let’s make the flavorful sauce! In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp gochujang, 3 Tbsp gochugaru, 1.5 Tbsp sugar, 3 Tbsp soy sauce, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil. Add the minced garlic and a pinch of black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined to create the sauce.
Step 4
Prepare the vegetables: Thinly slice 1 onion into strips. Deseed 1 red chili pepper and 1 green chili pepper, then slice them diagonally for color and a touch of heat. Slice 2 king oyster mushrooms into manageable pieces. Long-slice 3 stalks of green onion (if you only have spring onions, roughly chopped pieces are fine too). Thinly slice 1/2 carrot.
Step 5
In a bowl, combine the sliced onion, carrot, king oyster mushrooms, red chili pepper, green chili pepper, and green onion. Add half (1/2) of the prepared sauce and toss gently to ensure the vegetables are evenly coated. This helps them absorb the flavors.
Step 6
Now, let’s season the squid. In a separate bowl, place the cut squid. Add the remaining half (1/2) of the sauce and gently mix to coat the squid evenly. Let it marinate briefly. Marinating the squid and vegetables separately helps to prevent the squid from releasing too much water and keeps the vegetables crisp.
Step 7
Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated squid and stir-fry quickly until it turns plump and looks cooked through. Once the squid is cooked, add all the marinated vegetables to the pan. Continue to stir-fry everything together for another 1-2 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp and the flavors meld. (If you prefer it sweeter, you can add 1 Tbsp of oligo syrup at this stage.)
Step 8
Serve this delicious stir-fried squid hot over a bowl of steamed rice. It’s the perfect ‘rice thief’! This dish evokes nostalgic flavors, reminiscent of home-cooked meals. The spicy and sweet sauce is incredibly appetizing and sure to be a hit with the whole family.
