Spicy & Sweet Stir-fried Baby Octopus with Pork Belly
Main Dish: A Golden Recipe for Baby Octopus with Pork Belly, featuring Seasonal Baby Octopus
These days, baby octopus is in season and readily available at the market, often at great prices! This dish brings together the delightful flavor of baby octopus, which is even tastier than squid, with savory pork belly. Get ready for an explosion of taste!
Main Ingredients- 4 baby octopuses
- 1/2 lb pork belly
- 1/2 onion
- 1 king oyster mushroom
Seasoning Ingredients- 3 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp plum syrup (maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp plum syrup (maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the seasoning sauce for our delicious stir-fried baby octopus with pork belly. In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp gochujang, 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp plum syrup, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, and 1 Tbsp minced garlic. Mix them well until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the baby octopus. Baby octopus has innards and ink sacs in its head, so handle it carefully. Locate the area just behind the eyes and make a small incision with a knife. Be gentle to avoid bursting the innards or ink sacs.
Step 3
To thoroughly clean the baby octopus and remove any ink or impurities, generously sprinkle flour over it. Rub the body and tentacles vigorously with the flour. Continue scrubbing until the slime disappears and the octopus feels firm and plump. Afterwards, rinse it thoroughly under running water several times until clean.
Step 4
Heat a little cooking oil in a frying pan. Add the sliced king oyster mushroom, onion, and pork belly cut into bite-sized pieces. Stir-fry them until the pork belly starts to brown nicely. Push the ingredients to one side of the pan.
Step 5
Once the pork belly is partially cooked, add the prepared baby octopus and pour in the seasoning sauce. Instead of adding all the sauce at once, it’s better to add it gradually while tasting and adjusting the seasoning as the octopus and pork belly cook. To allow the flavors to meld beautifully, you can cover the pan and let it marinate for about 30 minutes, or stir-fry it immediately. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from burning.
Step 6
When the baby octopus is plump and the sauce has thickened, cut everything into bite-sized pieces. Your spicy and sweet stir-fried baby octopus with pork belly, featuring tender octopus, savory pork belly, and crisp vegetables, is now complete! It’s perfect as a side dish with rice or as a delicious appetizer.
