Savory and Sweet Braised Baby Potatoes (Baek Jong Won Style)
A Must-Try Side Dish! Baek Jong Won’s Braised Baby Potatoes That Will Make You Crave Rice
While large potatoes are delicious, these small, bite-sized baby potatoes are exceptionally wonderful as a side dish for rice. Experience the joy of finishing a whole bowl of rice with this Baek Jong Won-style braised baby potato recipe, featuring a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors. You can create an impressive side dish with simple ingredients.
Main Ingredients- 1kg baby potatoes
- 20 whole garlic cloves
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the baby potatoes thoroughly under running water, using a brush if necessary to remove any soil. If they are heavily soiled, soaking them in cold water for about 10 minutes before washing will make soil removal much easier. Ensuring the potato surfaces are clean is important.
Step 2
Place the baby potatoes in a pot and add enough water to cover them completely. Add 1 tablespoon of coarse salt. Once the water boils, add the baby potatoes and boil for about 15-20 minutes. They are cooked when a chopstick or fork inserted into a potato goes through easily. Turn off the heat.
Step 3
Do not remove the boiled baby potatoes from the pot; leave them in the same pot. Importantly, do not discard the cooking water. Add the 20 whole garlic cloves to the pot to braise along with the potatoes. As the garlic cooks with the potatoes, it will soften and release its sweetness.
Step 4
Now, add all the braising sauce ingredients. Combine 3 mug cups of water, 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of low-sodium fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of cooking wine. The water level should be about two-thirds up the potatoes. Braising all ingredients together allows the sauce to penetrate the potatoes deeply.
Step 5
Begin by boiling over high heat. Once the liquid comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium. The potatoes will soften as they cook, and the sauce will start to reduce. Stir or gently shake the pot occasionally to prevent the sauce from burning while it simmers.
Step 6
When the potatoes are almost cooked through and the sauce has reduced to a thick consistency, stir in 4 tablespoons of corn syrup (oligo당) to achieve a glossy finish. The corn syrup will give the potatoes a beautiful sheen and add sweetness, making them even more appealing. Continue to simmer for a little longer until the desired consistency is reached, then turn off the heat.
Step 7
Just before turning off the heat, add 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds and mix well. For an optional kick, you can add some finely chopped chili peppers, which will add a spicy note to cut through richness and enhance the flavor. If serving to children, consider adding finely chopped green onions instead of chili peppers for a pleasant aroma.
