Spicy & Sweet Stir-Fried Pork (Jeyuk Bokkeum)
Flavorful Jeyuk Bokkeum: Marinated in a Deliciously Spicy and Sweet Sauce
Experience the irresistible taste of Jeyuk Bokkeum, a Korean stir-fried pork dish marinated in a perfectly balanced spicy and sweet sauce. It’s incredibly versatile – enjoy it wrapped in fresh lettuce (ssam), mixed with rice for a delicious fried rice, or served over a bed of rice as a hearty bowl. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a special occasion!
Main Ingredients- 1kg Pork shoulder or belly, thinly sliced for stir-frying
- 1 Onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 Carrot, thinly sliced
- 1 Scallion (Green onion), diagonally sliced
- 3 Cabbage leaves, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 10 Perilla leaves, thinly julienned (for garnish)
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 2 Tbsp Cooking oil
Pork Marinade- 4 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- A dash of Black pepper
Jeyuk Bokkeum Sauce- 6 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 8 Tbsp Soy sauce (for stir-frying, ‘jin ganjang’)
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 4 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 4 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- A dash of Black pepper
Jeyuk Bokkeum Sauce- 6 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 8 Tbsp Soy sauce (for stir-frying, ‘jin ganjang’)
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 4 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a mixing bowl, place the 1kg of thinly sliced pork. Add the marinade ingredients: 4 Tbsp Mirin, 2 Tbsp Sugar, and a dash of black pepper. Gently massage the ingredients into the pork with your hands and let it marinate for about 10 minutes. This step helps tenderize the meat and remove any unwanted odors.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the vegetables. Peel and thinly slice the onion into strips. Cut the scallion diagonally into bite-sized pieces. Slice the carrot thinly, either into rounds or strips, whichever you prefer. These vegetables will add texture and flavor to the dish.
Step 3
Cut the cabbage leaves into bite-sized pieces, similar in size to the carrot slices. For the perilla leaves, wash them, pat them dry, and then thinly julienne them. These will be used as a fresh garnish at the end, adding a wonderful aroma.
Step 4
Let’s make the signature Jeyuk Bokkeum sauce! In a separate bowl, combine 6 Tbsp Gochugaru, 2 Tbsp minced garlic, 8 Tbsp soy sauce, 1.5 Tbsp Gochujang, 4 Tbsp Oligodang, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil. Stir everything together until well combined and smooth. Ensure there are no clumps of chili paste or flakes.
Step 5
Add the sliced onion, scallion, and carrot to a bowl. Pour about half of the prepared Jeyuk sauce over them. Gently toss the vegetables with your hands to coat them evenly with the sauce. Marinating the vegetables first helps them absorb the flavors better.
Step 6
Now, add the marinated pork to the bowl with the vegetables. Pour the remaining Jeyuk sauce over everything. Mix thoroughly with your hands, ensuring every piece of pork and vegetable is well-coated with the flavorful sauce. Let it marinate for at least another 10 minutes for the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 7
Heat 2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add a portion of the marinated pork and vegetables (don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary). Stir-fry briskly until the pork is about halfway cooked through. Cooking quickly over high heat helps to seal in the juices.
Step 8
Once the pork is partially cooked and has changed color, add the sliced cabbage to the skillet. Continue to stir-fry until the cabbage softens and becomes tender, about 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
Step 9
When the pork is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly, reducing to a glaze, the dish is almost ready. Just before turning off the heat, sprinkle a pinch of toasted sesame seeds over the top and give it a final toss. This adds a lovely nutty finish. Feel free to add some sliced chili peppers for extra heat if you like!
Step 10
Transfer the delicious Jeyuk Bokkeum to a serving plate. Generously top with the julienned perilla leaves for a burst of fresh aroma and flavor. Serve hot with steamed rice and your favorite ssam vegetables for a complete and satisfying Korean meal!
