Spicy & Sweet Anchovy Stir-fry with Gochujang
Easy Recipe for a Delicious Korean Side Dish: Stir-fried Anchovies with Gochujang
Let’s make a deliciously spicy and sweet anchovy stir-fry using a gochujang (Korean chili paste) sauce. This recipe is inspired by my mother’s traditional Gyeongsangdo-style anchovy stir-fry, a beloved side dish from my childhood. It’s perfect for making your taste buds dance and is an excellent banchan (side dish) for any meal, especially with rice.
Main Ingredients- 100g medium-sized anchovies (heads and guts removed for a cleaner taste)
Spicy & Sweet Stir-fry Sauce- 3 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp corn syrup or rice syrup (oligosaccharide)
- 2 Tbsp water
- 4 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 3 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp corn syrup or rice syrup (oligosaccharide)
- 2 Tbsp water
- 4 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, to remove any fishy smell and enhance the nutty flavor, lightly toast the anchovies in a dry frying pan over medium-low heat for about 2-3 minutes, being careful not to burn them. Set the toasted anchovies aside to cool slightly.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the flavorful sauce. In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp sugar, 3 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup), and 2 Tbsp water. Whisk everything together until smooth and well combined, ensuring there are no lumps. (Feel free to adjust the sweetness by modifying the sugar or syrup quantities to your preference.)
Step 3
Next, we’ll infuse the oil with garlic aroma. Heat 4 Tbsp of cooking oil in the same frying pan over low heat. Add 1 tsp of minced garlic and stir gently for about 30 seconds until fragrant, creating a garlic-infused oil. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
Step 4
Once the garlic is fragrant, pour the prepared gochujang sauce into the pan. Bring it to a gentle simmer, and as soon as it begins to bubble, immediately turn off the heat. Avoid cooking the sauce for too long, as it can burn.
Step 5
Add the pre-toasted anchovies to the sauce while the pan is still warm (heat off). Gently toss and mix the anchovies until they are evenly coated with the delicious sauce. Stir carefully to prevent the anchovies from breaking apart.
Step 6
Finally, sprinkle 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds over the stir-fry for a final touch of flavor and aroma. Your spicy and sweet gochujang anchovy stir-fry is now complete! It’s a fantastic side dish to enjoy with a warm bowl of rice.
