Spicy & Sweet Braised Belt Fish: The Ultimate Golden Recipe
Rice Thief Alert! The Secret to Delicious Belt Fish Stew with Zero Fishy Smell
When you have a lack of appetite, there’s no better dish than this! Tender belt fish, perfectly cooked radish, and potatoes come together in this supreme fish stew that everyone, young and old, will love. Our special sauce recipe eliminates any fishy odor while boosting umami, making you devour a bowl of rice in no time.
Belt Fish Stew Ingredients- 2 fresh belt fish
- 1 handful of dried anchovies for broth
- 1 handful of dried shrimp (optional)
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp mirin (rice wine for cooking)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce or salt (for seasoning adjustment)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp corn syrup or oligodang
- 1 Tbsp doenjang (fermented soybean paste)
- A pinch of black pepper
- A pinch of minced ginger
- 2-3 pieces of radish (approx. 1-2cm thick)
- 1 onion (sliced)
- 1 red chili pepper (sliced diagonally, optional)
- 3 green chili peppers (sliced diagonally)
- 1 green onion (sliced diagonally)
- 2 potatoes (cut into large pieces)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, to create a deep and rich flavor, let’s make a delicious broth using dried anchovies and dried shrimp. Tip: If you have dried kelp, adding a piece while boiling will enhance the umami even further. If you don’t have dried shrimp, it’s okay to skip it.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the seasoning sauce. Letting it sit while you prepare the other ingredients will allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Combine all the sauce ingredients (gochugaru, soy sauce, mirin, minced garlic, salt/soy sauce, sugar, corn syrup, doenjang, pepper, minced ginger) in a bowl and mix well.
Step 3
Cut the radish into thick pieces, about 1-2 cm thick. For stews, larger cuts prevent them from falling apart and allow them to absorb the sauce wonderfully.
Step 4
Slice the onion into thick strips.
Step 5
The green chili peppers add spiciness, and the red chili pepper adds a vibrant color. Slice both diagonally. If you don’t have a red chili pepper, using only green ones is fine.
Step 6
Peel the potatoes and cut them into large pieces, similar in size to the belt fish. Tip: Potatoes take longer to cook, so placing them at the bottom of the pot first is a good idea.
Step 7
Here’s our star ingredient: fresh belt fish. Today, we’re using Jeju belt fish. Clean the fish, cut it into serving pieces, and trim any protruding fins or bones. Rinsing it under running water one last time is recommended.
Step 8
Now, let’s start braising. In a thick-bottomed pot, place the thick-cut radish and potatoes at the bottom. Pour in the prepared anchovy and shrimp broth until it just covers the vegetables. This way, the radish and potatoes will release their natural sweetness and refreshing flavor as they cook.
Step 9
Cover the pot and simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Check if the potatoes are tender by piercing them with a chopstick; if it goes in smoothly, they’re cooked. The radish will also soften during this step.
Step 10
Once the potatoes and radish are nicely cooked, arrange the cleaned belt fish pieces attractively on top. Placing them without overlapping ensures even seasoning.
Step 11
Spoon the pre-made seasoning sauce evenly over the belt fish. It’s important to coat the fish thoroughly so the flavors penetrate well.
Step 12
Using a spoon or ladle, scoop up some of the sauce and broth from the bottom of the pot and pour it over the fish several times. Repeating this process will give the fish a nice sheen and help the sauce absorb better.
Step 13
Finally, arrange the sliced onions, diagonally cut chili peppers, and green onions on top of the belt fish. This adds beautiful color and a fragrant aroma.
Step 14
Now, uncover the pot and let it simmer vigorously over medium heat. Continue to braise for about 10 more minutes. It’s done when the sauce thickens slightly and all ingredients are well-coated. Tip: Be careful not to overcook, as the belt fish can easily break apart. The perfect consistency is when a little bit of savory sauce remains.
Step 15
Here it is, the steaming hot, delicious braised belt fish! Just looking at it makes your mouth water, doesn’t it? Placing it over a bowl of rice is pure bliss. Experience a truly unforgettable taste that might even bring tears to your eyes!
