Delicious Side Dish: Eomuk Bokkeum (Stir-fried Fish Cakes)
The Ultimate Simple Side Dish! Sumi’s Famous Eomuk Bokkeum Recipe
I tried making the Eomuk Bokkeum featured on the popular TV show ‘Sumi’s Side Dishes,’ and it’s indeed simple and wonderful! This recipe is perfect for a quick, flavorful banchan (side dish) that will have you reaching for more rice.
Main Ingredients- 10 sheets of square fish cakes (eomuk, approx. 300-350g)
- 1 green chili pepper
- 1/2 onion
Stir-frying Ingredients- 2-3 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2-3 Tbsp cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the fish cakes. The original ‘Sumi’ recipe suggests cutting them into 1cm thick strips, but you can also slice them thinner if you prefer. Slice the onion into similar-sized strips. For the green chili pepper, slice it diagonally after halving it and removing the seeds; this adds a nice visual appeal and texture.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine the soy sauce (2.5 Tbsp), water (3 Tbsp), sugar (2 tsp), and honey or corn syrup (1 Tbsp). Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved to create the seasoning sauce. Keep the sesame oil and sesame seeds aside for now.
Step 3
Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and add 2-3 Tbsp of cooking oil. Add the sliced fish cakes and stir-fry quickly. It’s important to fry them over high heat to achieve a slightly firm and chewy texture. Be careful not to burn them.
Step 4
Once the fish cakes are slightly softened, add the sliced onion to the pan and continue to stir-fry. Cook until the onion becomes translucent and tender. The onion will add a natural sweetness to the dish.
Step 5
When the onion is sufficiently cooked, pour the prepared seasoning sauce into the pan. Keep the heat on medium-high and stir well to ensure all the ingredients are coated evenly with the sauce.
Step 6
The key is to stir-fry until the sauce thickens and clings to the fish cakes, creating a nicely glazed finish. Stir continuously to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pan. A glossy appearance indicates it’s well-cooked and delicious.
Step 7
Finally, add the sliced green chili peppers and stir-fry briefly until they are slightly softened but still retain a bit of crunch. Drizzle in the sesame oil (1 Tbsp) for added aroma and flavor, then sprinkle with sesame seeds before giving it a final mix. Your delicious Eomuk Bokkeum is now ready!
Step 8
Enjoy this incredibly easy and simple side dish! It’s a perfect accompaniment to a freshly steamed bowl of rice. 😀
