Spicy Braised Arctic Smelt & Saury (Yangmri & Dorimuk) – A Flavorful Fish Stew Recipe
Mouthwatering Yangmri and Dorimuk Stew: A Mixed Fish Braise with Deliciously Spicy Sauce
Enjoy two types of delicious fish braised together with the same signature sauce! This mixed fish stew is so good, it’ll have you finishing a bowl of rice in no time.
Main Ingredients- 6 Arctic Smelt (Yangmri), fresh
- 6 Saury (Dorimuk), packed with roe
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
Spicy & Sweet Fish Stew Sauce- 5 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for deep flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (for a spicy kick)
- 1 Tbsp Fine Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for color and flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic (for aromatic depth)
- 1 Tbsp Maesil Cheong (Plum Extract, for natural sweetness and shine)
- 1/2 Tbsp Sugar (for sweetness adjustment)
- 3 Tbsp Cheongju (Rice Wine, to remove fishiness and enhance umami)
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper (for an extra flavor boost!)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (for a fragrant finish)
- 50ml Water (to adjust sauce consistency)
- 1 Green Onion (white parts for the sauce, green parts for garnish)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds (for nutty flavor and a beautiful finish)
- 5 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for deep flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (for a spicy kick)
- 1 Tbsp Fine Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for color and flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic (for aromatic depth)
- 1 Tbsp Maesil Cheong (Plum Extract, for natural sweetness and shine)
- 1/2 Tbsp Sugar (for sweetness adjustment)
- 3 Tbsp Cheongju (Rice Wine, to remove fishiness and enhance umami)
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper (for an extra flavor boost!)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (for a fragrant finish)
- 50ml Water (to adjust sauce consistency)
- 1 Green Onion (white parts for the sauce, green parts for garnish)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds (for nutty flavor and a beautiful finish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the Arctic smelt by removing the heads and innards. Rinse them under cold running water and set aside in a colander to drain any excess water.
Step 2
Next, prepare the saury by removing the heads. Choose saury with plump bellies full of roe for the best flavor. Gently rinse them under running water and drain thoroughly in a colander.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious fish stew sauce! In a bowl, combine 5 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp fine gochugaru, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp maesil cheong, 1/2 Tbsp sugar, 3 Tbsp cheongju, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil. Finely chop the white parts of 1 green onion and add them to the sauce. (Tip: Making the sauce ahead of time and letting it rest can develop deeper flavors.)
Step 4
Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the saury first, as they have thicker flesh and a firmer texture, and sear them until lightly golden brown. This step helps the fish maintain its shape and prevents it from breaking apart during braising.
Step 5
Once the saury are partially cooked, flip them over. Then, add the prepared Arctic smelt to the pan alongside the saury. The Arctic smelt cook faster, so add them at this stage.
Step 6
Flip the Arctic smelt as well and cook them until lightly browned on both sides. Be mindful of the heat to prevent the fish from burning. A slightly crispy exterior adds to the deliciousness.
Step 7
Pour the prepared stew sauce evenly over the nicely seared fish. To make sure no sauce is wasted, add 50ml of water to the bowl used for the sauce, swirl it around to rinse off any remaining sauce, and pour this mixture around the edges of the pan. This will help the sauce thicken and coat the fish beautifully.
Step 8
Now, let the stew simmer over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens and coats the fish. Ladle some of the sauce over the fish periodically while it’s simmering to ensure the flavors penetrate evenly. (Tip: Avoid high heat, as this can cause the sauce to burn.)
Step 9
Once the sauce has reduced to a thick, glossy consistency that clings to the fish, finely chop the green parts of the green onion and sprinkle them over the top. Finish with 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds for a final touch of aroma and visual appeal. Your delicious braised Arctic Smelt and Saury is ready to be enjoyed with a hot bowl of rice!
