Spicy & Sweet Perfect Eel Sauce
Boost Your Energy This Summer! Homemade Special Sauce for Grilled Eel
Summer is the season for nourishing foods! Grilled eel is a beloved dish, especially for its revitalizing properties. While delicious on its own, dipping it into this special spicy and sweet sauce will banish any richness and fill your mouth with incredible flavor. Elevate your grilled eel experience with this simple homemade sauce!
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Jin-ganjang (Korean soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Anchovy sauce (or regular soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Maesilcheong (plum syrup) (adjust sweetness)
- 4 Tbsp Mulyeot (corn syrup) (for shine and sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine) (to remove fishy odor)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil (for nutty aroma)
- 1 tsp Ginger powder (or minced fresh ginger)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 tsp Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish and nuttiness)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gather all the ingredients needed for the grilled eel sauce. Using measuring cups and spoons will help you achieve the most delicious results. For ginger, you can use finely minced fresh ginger or opt for the convenience of ginger powder.
Step 2
In a mixing bowl, combine all the prepared ingredients: 2 tablespoons of gochugaru, 3 tablespoons of gochujang, 1 tablespoon of jin-ganjang, 1 tablespoon of anchovy sauce, 1 tablespoon of maesilcheong, 4 tablespoons of mulyeot, 1 tablespoon of mirin, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 1 teaspoon of ginger powder, and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Finally, add 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds.
Step 3
Using a spatula or spoon, stir the ingredients thoroughly until well combined and there are no lumps. It’s crucial to mix until you achieve a smooth and uniform sauce consistency. Feel free to taste and adjust the sweetness or spiciness to your preference at this stage.
Step 4
Transfer the finished sauce to a nice serving dish. For an extra touch of freshness and aroma, sprinkle finely chopped perilla leaves or a fragrant herb like ‘bang-ah’ (perilla variety) on top. The crisp texture and aroma of the leaves will beautifully complement the eel.
Step 5
Now, prepare your deliciously grilled eel. Dip the warm, perfectly grilled eel generously into the prepared sauce. Enjoy it together with the fragrant perilla or bang-ah leaves. The savory eel, the spicy and sweet sauce, and the fresh herbs will create a harmonious blend of flavors that you won’t forget!
