Spicy Gochujang Fish Cake Stir-Fry
How to Make Spicy Gochujang Fish Cakes: A Red, Flavorful Odeng Stir-Fry Recipe
Hello everyone! This is Ryu-i, your Naver Food influencer. ^^ I personally love fish cakes and always keep them stocked in my fridge. Today, I’ve made a delicious, sweet, and spicy stir-fry using a gochujang-based sauce. It offers a different charm compared to soy sauce-based fish cake stir-fries and makes for a wonderfully flavorful side dish. I’ll even share some tips from local banchan (side dish) shops!
Main Ingredients- 8 sheets of square fish cakes (odeng)
- 1/2 stalk of green onion
- 1 onion
- 1/2 carrot
- 1/2 head of broccoli
- 1-3 Cheongyang chili peppers (adjust to your spice preference)
- 2 swirls of cooking oil (approx. 2 Tbsp)
Seasoning Ingredients- 2.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 4 Tbsp Jin Ganjang (Korean soy sauce)
- 3 Tbsp Oligodang (Korean oligosaccharide syrup) or corn syrup
- 1 Tbsp Yellow sugar
- 2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 swirl of sesame oil (approx. 1 Tbsp)
- Generous amount of toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 2.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 4 Tbsp Jin Ganjang (Korean soy sauce)
- 3 Tbsp Oligodang (Korean oligosaccharide syrup) or corn syrup
- 1 Tbsp Yellow sugar
- 2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 swirl of sesame oil (approx. 1 Tbsp)
- Generous amount of toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cut the square fish cakes in half, and then cut them into bite-sized diamond or triangular shapes. This cutting method helps the sauce penetrate better, making them even tastier.
Step 2
Next, blanch the cut fish cakes in boiling water. This process removes excess sodium and oil, resulting in a cleaner flavor. After blanching, drain them thoroughly in a colander. Shaking off excess water helps the sauce adhere better.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the delicious seasoning! In a bowl, combine all the seasoning ingredients except for the sesame oil and sesame seeds: gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, oligosaccharide syrup, yellow sugar, and minced garlic. Mix them well until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps. This even mixing will ensure consistent seasoning when stir-frying.
Step 4
Let’s get the vegetables ready! Slice the carrot and onion into bite-sized pieces, similar in size to the fish cakes. Cut the broccoli into similar florets. Slice the green onion diagonally, and also slice the Cheongyang chili peppers diagonally for a beautiful presentation and added spiciness.
Step 5
Heat a pan over medium-low heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Add the sliced green onion and onion first. Stir-fry them slowly to create ‘pa-gi-reum’ (green onion oil). The natural sweetness and aroma released from the onions and green onions will elevate the dish’s flavor. It’s best to fry until the green onion is lightly golden.
Step 6
Once the aroma of the green onion oil is fragrant, add the prepared vegetables (carrot, broccoli) and the drained fish cakes to the pan. Exclude the Cheongyang chili peppers for now. Increase the heat to medium and stir-fry quickly for about 1-2 minutes, ensuring the ‘pa-gi-reum’ coats all the ingredients. Be careful not to overcook, as the vegetables can become mushy.
Step 7
Push the stir-fried ingredients to one side of the pan to create space. Pour the pre-mixed seasoning sauce into the empty space and cook it over low heat for about 30 seconds. Lightly stir-frying the sauce mellows its raw spiciness and enhances its savory notes.
Step 8
Now, combine the stir-fried sauce with the ingredients on the other side of the pan. Mix everything together and continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes over medium heat. This step allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a deeper taste.
Step 9
Finally, turn off the heat. Add the sliced Cheongyang chili peppers, sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds, and give it a gentle toss. Your spicy and sweet gochujang fish cake stir-fry is ready! Adding the chili peppers at the end preserves their crisp texture and fresh spicy aroma. Feel free to add more sesame seeds if you like. Enjoy your delicious meal!
