Spicy & Sweet Stir-fried Pork with Kimchi
The Ultimate Recipe for Delicious Stir-fried Pork (Jeyuk Bokkeum)
Spicy yet sweet stir-fried pork, or Jeyuk Bokkeum, is a dish that always hits the spot! Its affordable ingredients make it a go-to comfort meal whenever you’re craving some hearty meat. We’ve elevated this classic by adding a generous amount of well-fermented kimchi for an even more irresistible flavor. Get ready to create a truly mouthwatering dish!
Main Ingredients- 1kg pork shoulder or front leg, sliced for stir-frying
- 3-4 Cheongyang chili peppers (or to taste)
- 1/2 medium onion, thickly sliced
- Generous amount of aged/sour kimchi (squeeze out excess juice)
- 1 bunch scallions (approx. 10-15 stalks), cut into 3-4cm lengths
Seasoning Mix- 2 Tbsp Korean chili paste (Gochujang)
- 1 Tbsp Korean chili flakes (Gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (or sugar if unavailable)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- A little sesame oil (for finishing)
- 2 Tbsp Korean chili paste (Gochujang)
- 1 Tbsp Korean chili flakes (Gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (or sugar if unavailable)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- A little sesame oil (for finishing)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the vegetables. Cut the scallions into segments about 3-4 cm long. Thickly slice the onion. Slice the chili peppers diagonally for a bit of heat. Having your vegetables prepped makes the cooking process so much smoother.
Step 2
Now, let’s make the delicious sauce! In a large bowl, combine the 1kg of sliced pork. Add all the prepared vegetables (scallions, onion, chili peppers). Then, mix in the Gochujang (2 Tbsp), Gochugaru (1 Tbsp), minced garlic (1 Tbsp), toasted sesame seeds (1 Tbsp), plum extract (2 Tbsp) for sweetness, sugar (1 Tbsp), and a little sesame oil for that nutty aroma. Gently mix everything with your hands, ensuring the seasoning coats the pork thoroughly. This step is key for maximum flavor infusion.
Step 3
Marinating the pork is highly recommended for the best flavor. I usually let it marinate in the refrigerator for about 3 hours. If you’re short on time, even 30 minutes will make a noticeable difference, allowing the flavors to penetrate the meat beautifully.
Step 4
Heat a pan over high heat and add the marinated pork. Stir-fry quickly until the surface of the pork is browned and cooked through. Searing the meat on high heat first helps to lock in the juices, resulting in tender and moist Jeyuk Bokkeum. Once the surface is seared, reduce the heat to medium and continue to stir-fry, making sure it doesn’t burn.
Step 5
Finally, add a generous amount of sour kimchi to the pan. Stir-fry briefly until the kimchi is well combined with the pork. Be careful not to overcook the kimchi, as it can become mushy. Just a quick stir is enough to meld the flavors. You can sprinkle some extra toasted sesame seeds on top for garnish. Serve hot with steamed rice and enjoy your delicious homemade Jeyuk Bokkeum!
