Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Squid with Generous Sauce
The Ultimate Comfort Food: Easy Recipe for Stir-fried Squid with Plenty of Sauce
Enjoy the delightful chewiness of squid combined with the crispness of vegetables in this flavorful stir-fry! Its rich, savory sauce is perfect for mixing with rice, or even for adding noodles or thin wheat noodles (jjolmyeon). This recipe is incredibly simple, making it easy for beginners to master. It’s an excellent choice for a weeknight dinner or a fantastic accompaniment to drinks!
Main Ingredients for Stir-fried Squid- 2 squid (approx. 400g)
- 1 onion
- 1 green onion (scallion)
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 cup (200ml) water
Spicy Sauce Mix- 3.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Cheongyang chili flakes (for extra heat)
- 2 Tbsp regular chili flakes
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
- 1.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (like Mirin)
- Pinch of black pepper
Finishing Touches- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 3.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Cheongyang chili flakes (for extra heat)
- 2 Tbsp regular chili flakes
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
- 1.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (like Mirin)
- Pinch of black pepper
Finishing Touches- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the sauce that will define the flavor of your stir-fried squid. In a bowl, combine 3.5 Tbsp gochujang, 2 Tbsp Cheongyang chili flakes, 2 Tbsp regular chili flakes, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1.5 Tbsp corn syrup, 1.5 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well. Letting this sauce sit for a while allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 2
Peel the onion and slice it thinly into strips about 0.5 cm thick. Avoid slicing too thinly, as it can become mushy when stir-fried. Aim for a medium thickness for a pleasant texture.
Step 3
Slice the green onion into bite-sized pieces. You can include both the white and green parts for added flavor and color. If using a thicker green onion, consider slicing it lengthwise in half before cutting into pieces to help it absorb the sauce better.
Step 4
Prepare the squid by making diagonal scores on the inside of the body. This helps the sauce penetrate and makes the squid more tender when cooked. After scoring, cut the squid body in half and then into thick strips. Cut the tentacles into manageable pieces as well.
Step 5
Cut the prepared squid tentacles into bite-sized pieces. We’ll be stir-frying both the body and the tentacles together.
Step 6
Now, let’s start stir-frying! Heat a wok or large pan over medium-high heat and add 1 Tbsp of cooking oil. Add the squid and sliced onions to the pan and stir-fry. Cook until the squid turns opaque and starts to whiten, indicating it’s beginning to cook.
Step 7
Once the squid turns white, add the prepared sauce and 1 cup (200ml) of water. The generous amount of sauce is key for mixing with rice or adding noodles later.
Step 8
Bring the mixture to a boil, then add the sliced green onions. Stir everything together well. This is the time to taste and adjust the seasoning.
Step 9
If it’s not salty enough, add a little more soy sauce or sugar to reach your desired taste. If you prefer more sweetness, you can use honey or another sweetener instead of corn syrup. If you like a saucier dish or don’t want the sauce to thicken too much, feel free to add a bit more water.
Step 10
Once the seasoning is perfect, turn off the heat. Just before serving, drizzle in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil and sprinkle with 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds, then give it a final gentle toss. The aromatic sesame oil will enhance the deliciousness of your stir-fried squid!
