Spicy & Sweet Stir-Fried Baby Octopus: A Seasonal Delicacy for a Perfect Meal or Appetizer!
How to Make Delicious Stir-Fried Baby Octopus (Jjukkumi Bokkeum)
The ultimate dish for when you’re craving something flavorful! This stir-fried baby octopus recipe uses seasonal ingredients to create a dish that’s perfectly spicy and sweet. The chewy texture of the octopus combined with crisp vegetables makes it a fantastic side dish for rice, a tempting appetizer, or even a delightful meal when mixed with somen noodles. Achieve that irresistible smoky flavor right in your own kitchen!
Main Ingredients
- Baby Octopus (Jjukkumi) 600 grams
- Cabbage 300 grams
- Onion 1/2 medium (approx. 50 grams)
- Green Bell Pepper 1/4 (approx. 10 grams)
- Red Bell Pepper 1/4 (approx. 10 grams)
- Carrot, thinly sliced 10 grams
- Chives or Green Onions (scallions), a handful (approx. 30 grams)
Seasoning
- Gochugaru (Korean chili oil) 2 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Rice wine or Mirin 2 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Chicken stock or broth 1 tsp
- Vinegar 1 tsp
- Black Pepper, a pinch
- Sesame Oil, a drizzle
- Cornstarch slurry (1 Tbsp water + 1 Tbsp cornstarch) 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili oil) 2 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Rice wine or Mirin 2 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Chicken stock or broth 1 tsp
- Vinegar 1 tsp
- Black Pepper, a pinch
- Sesame Oil, a drizzle
- Cornstarch slurry (1 Tbsp water + 1 Tbsp cornstarch) 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all your vegetables by cutting them into bite-sized pieces. Chop the cabbage into larger pieces, thinly slice the onion and bell peppers, and cut the carrot into thin slices. Trim the chives or green onions, as they will be added at the end.
Step 2
Rinse the baby octopus thoroughly under running water. Remove the innards and beak, and ensure there’s no grit in the suction cups. Drain the cleaned octopus very well in a colander; this is crucial to prevent the dish from becoming watery.
Step 3
Heat 2 Tbsp of gochugaru (Korean chili oil) in a wide pan over medium-low heat. Add chopped green onions (optional) and thinly sliced ginger (optional) and stir-fry until fragrant. Adding some chili peppers at this stage can enhance the flavor.
Step 4
Once the aromatics are fragrant, add 2 Tbsp of rice wine or mirin and let it simmer to cook off the alcohol. Then, add the cleaned baby octopus and stir-fry quickly over high heat. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become tough and chewy.
Step 5
As the octopus begins to cook, tilt the pan slightly and let it sear for about 1 minute to impart a smoky flavor. If you want to achieve a smoky char at home, you can briefly use a kitchen torch on the octopus at the end of cooking.
Step 6
Add all the prepared vegetables (cabbage, onion, bell peppers, carrot) to the pan. Continue to stir-fry over high heat until the vegetables are slightly softened but still retain a pleasant crispness. Don’t overcook them.
Step 7
In a separate bowl, mix together 2 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp gochugaru (flakes), 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 tsp chicken stock (or broth), 1 tsp vinegar, and a pinch of black pepper to create the sauce. Pour this sauce into the pan with the octopus and vegetables. Stir well to coat everything evenly and let it simmer until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the ingredients.
Step 8
Prepare the cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 Tbsp cornstarch with 1 Tbsp water. Drizzle this slurry slowly into the pan while stirring constantly to thicken the sauce. Avoid clumping. Finally, add a drizzle of sesame oil and give it one last mix for a glossy finish. Your delicious stir-fried baby octopus is ready!
Step 9
Transfer the finished stir-fried baby octopus to a serving plate. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions, chopped red chili peppers, or sesame seeds for an appealing presentation.
Step 10
Tip: For a restaurant-style smoky flavor at home, briefly char the octopus with a kitchen torch. This dish is also wonderful served over rice or mixed with cooked somen noodles for a delightful meal.
