Spicy Stir-Fried Squid (Ojingeo Bokkeum)
A Fiery and Flavorful One-Dish Meal: Ojingeo Bokkeum
This Ojingeo Bokkeum (Spicy Stir-Fried Squid) is incredibly delicious with a kick from gochugaru (Korean chili powder), making you break into a light sweat! It’s a universally loved dish bursting with spicy and savory flavors. Try making this popular Korean dish that’s perfect as a side for rice or as a delicious snack.
Main Ingredients- 1 Squid (body)
- 2 Small Onions
- 1/2 Carrot
- 1 Cheongyang Pepper (Korean chili pepper)
- 1 Green Onion (scallion)
- 1 tsp Minced Garlic
- 2 tsp Cooking Oil
- A pinch of Minced Ginger
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
Seasoning Sauce- 1 tsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tsp Soy Sauce
- Pinch of Salt
- 1 tsp Corn Syrup (or honey/sugar)
- Pinch of Sesame Seeds
- 1/3 cup Dried Anchovy or Kelp Broth (or water)
- 1 tsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tsp Soy Sauce
- Pinch of Salt
- 1 tsp Corn Syrup (or honey/sugar)
- Pinch of Sesame Seeds
- 1/3 cup Dried Anchovy or Kelp Broth (or water)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables for the stir-fried squid. Slice the onions thickly, and julienne the carrot into similar-sized pieces. Finely chop the Cheongyang pepper to add a spicy aroma, and slice the green onion diagonally to add a fresh fragrance at the end. Having all your vegetables prepped makes cooking much smoother.
Step 2
Here’s how to prepare the squid! You can leave the skin on, but if you prefer a cleaner look, you can peel it off. To peel, rub a little salt on the squid and it should come off easily. Clean out the insides and rinse the squid thoroughly under running water. Then, score the squid body in a criss-cross pattern; this helps the sauce penetrate better and improves the texture. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
Step 3
Heat a pan over high heat and add the cooking oil. Add the julienned carrots and sliced onions and stir-fry quickly. Once the onions begin to turn translucent, add the minced garlic and ginger, and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir-frying quickly over high heat helps maintain the vegetables’ crisp texture.
Step 4
Add half of the prepared seasoning sauce (gochujang, soy sauce, gochugaru, etc.) to the stir-fried vegetables and cook briefly until a little sauce forms. Pre-coating the vegetables with the sauce like this will allow the flavors to meld beautifully when you add the squid, resulting in a delicious Ojingeo Bokkeum.
Step 5
Now, add the prepared squid and the remaining seasoning sauce (broth, corn syrup, salt) to the pan. Stir-fry quickly! Squid can become tough if overcooked, so cook it over high heat for only 1-2 minutes until it turns opaque. If you want it spicier, feel free to add more Cheongyang pepper or adjust the amount of gochugaru. It’s ready when the squid turns white.
Step 6
Finally, add the diagonally sliced green onions and stir-fry for another quick toss. The fresh, sharp aroma of the green onions will enhance the dish.
Step 7
Plate the finished Ojingeo Bokkeum attractively and sprinkle with sesame seeds. The nutty flavor of the sesame seeds adds another layer of deliciousness. Serve it over hot rice or enjoy it with a cold beer!
