Tender & Chewy Baby Octopus Boiled (Sukhoe) with Spicy-Sweet Gochujang Sauce
The Ultimate Boiled Baby Octopus: Chewy Texture & Savory Flavor
Enjoying the freshest baby octopus of the season is a delight! This boiled baby octopus (sukhoe) is perfectly tender and chewy, making it an irresistible dish that even fills up hungry appetites. My son, who claimed to be on a diet, couldn’t resist and ate two bowls of rice – that’s the magic of this recipe! Let’s create this delightful dish together.
Main Ingredients- 1kg fresh baby octopus
- 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour (for cleaning)
- Gochujang sauce (for dipping, to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by preparing your fresh baby octopus. If you bought it already purged of sand, you can proceed directly to cleaning.
Step 2
Place the baby octopus in a bowl and add 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. The flour will help absorb the sticky mucus and impurities from the octopus. Gently knead the octopus with the flour for about 2-3 minutes. Then, rinse it thoroughly under cold running water several times until it becomes clean and tender.
Step 3
After washing, drain the baby octopus well in a colander. It’s important to remove excess water, as too much moisture can affect the flavor and lead to a less pleasant taste when boiled.
Step 4
Now, let’s prepare the octopus. First, separate the head from the body. Carefully remove the innards from inside the head using your fingers or a knife. Trim off the hard part around the eyes. Then, firmly press the beak (located between the tentacles) with your finger to remove it. Finally, cut the tentacles into bite-sized pieces. Thorough preparation ensures a cleaner and more delicious final dish.
Step 5
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat, ensuring there’s enough water to fully submerge the octopus. Once boiling, add the prepared baby octopus. Boil over high heat for just 1 to 2 minutes. The key is not to overcook it, as it can become tough. Remove the octopus as soon as it turns a vibrant red color and its body looks slightly plump.
Step 6
Cut the boiled baby octopus into your desired bite-sized pieces. Arrange the cooked octopus attractively on a serving plate, and don’t forget to serve the spicy-sweet gochujang dipping sauce alongside. Enjoy the wonderfully chewy texture and delicious savory flavor of fresh baby octopus!
