Spicy Stir-Fried Octopus with Chewy Rice Cakes
A Deliciously Chewy and Spicy Stir-Fried Octopus Dish with Rice Cakes
Experience the ultimate texture sensation with this spicy stir-fried octopus, featuring tender octopus and delightfully chewy rice cakes! It’s a flavor explosion that’s perfect as a side dish or a savory snack.
Main Ingredients
- 3-4 medium-sized octopuses, cleaned
- 1 handful of rice cakes (tteok)
- 1/2 large leek, diagonally sliced
- 1-2 red or green chili peppers, diagonally sliced
- A splash of cooking wine (like cheongju) for deodorizing
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the octopus. Thoroughly clean the octopus by removing its innards and eyes. Next, generously sprinkle coarse sea salt over the octopus and rub it vigorously. This step helps remove impurities and adds a pleasant chewiness. Rinse the octopus thoroughly under cold running water until it’s clean. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Briefly blanch the whole octopus or its cut pieces in the boiling water for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Be careful not to overcook, as this will make it tough. After blanching, rinse the octopus in cold water, drain well, and cut it into bite-sized pieces. If your rice cakes are hard, soak them in hot water for about 5 minutes to soften them. Slice the leek and chili peppers diagonally and set them aside.
Step 2
Now, let’s make the delicious spicy sauce. In a bowl, combine the anchovy sauce, gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, sugar, honey, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated. (Feel free to adjust the sugar and honey to your liking.) Heat a wide pan or wok over high heat. Add the prepared octopus, sliced leek, and chili peppers to the pan. Pour all the prepared seasoning sauce over the ingredients. Use your hands to gently mix and coat everything evenly with the sauce. Stir-fry over high heat for about 2-3 minutes. Cooking quickly over high heat prevents the octopus from releasing too much water and helps the sauce adhere beautifully. Once the octopus is partially cooked, add the softened rice cakes to the pan. Stir well to combine everything and cook for another minute, or until the rice cakes are heated through and coated in sauce. Turn off the heat, and stir in the sesame oil and sesame seeds for a fragrant finish. Gently mix, then plate the stir-fried octopus and rice cakes attractively. Enjoy your chewy and spicy octopus dish!
Step 3
The key to a truly delicious stir-fried octopus is to cook it quickly over high heat! This method not only prevents the octopus from becoming rubbery but also ensures the sauce is flavorful and well-integrated without burning. It also stops excess water from forming in the pan, resulting in a richer, more concentrated sauce. Adding rice cakes is a fantastic idea, as they absorb the flavorful sauce wonderfully, offering a delightful chewy bite with every mouthful. Octopus caught in the autumn is particularly plump and delicious, making this spicy stir-fry a truly special and healthy dish. Enjoy this exceptionally tasty octopus stir-fry today for a delightful meal! It’s perfect for mixing with rice or pairing with a cold beer.
