Beef and Bok Choy Stir-fry with Oyster Sauce (Cha Seung-won’s Recipe)
Just Like on TV! Learn How to Make Delicious Beef and Bok Choy Stir-fry Loaded with Oyster Sauce
The other day, I was zoning out on the sofa watching a rerun of the TV show ‘Three Meals a Day.’ Actor Cha Seung-won was making a beef and bok choy stir-fry that looked absolutely perfect for my palate! Seeing it made my mouth water, and I thought, ‘I absolutely have to try making this!’ So, I immediately went grocery shopping. I bought the fresh ingredients and recreated the dish myself! The combination of savory oyster sauce, tender beef, and crisp bok choy is simply divine. It’s fantastic as a side dish for rice or even as a snack with drinks. This recipe is a must-try!
Key Ingredients- Beef (for grilling) 200g
- Bok Choy 3 heads
- Green Onion 1/2 stalk
- Cooking Oil for stir-frying, as needed
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp
- Salt, a pinch (for marinating)
- Black Pepper, a pinch (for marinating)
- Cornstarch 1 Tbsp (for tenderizing and coating the beef)
- Oyster Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Sesame Oil, as needed (for finishing)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, pat the beef dry with paper towels to remove any excess blood. Removing the blood ensures a cleaner taste and prevents any gamey smell.
Step 2
Cut the blood-drained beef into bite-sized pieces. Be careful not to cut them too small, as they might break apart during cooking.
Step 3
Place the cut beef in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and a pinch of black pepper, then gently massage the seasonings into the meat. Mixing it well ensures the flavors are evenly distributed.
Step 4
Add 1 Tbsp of cornstarch to the marinated beef and mix again thoroughly. The cornstarch will help tenderize the meat and make the sauce cling better during stir-frying. Your meat preparation is now complete!
Step 5
Cut the green onion into roughly 10cm lengths, then chop them into large pieces. They will add great flavor as they cook.
Step 6
Separate the outer two or three leaves from the bok choy heads and set them aside. These leaves cook faster, so preparing them separately is helpful.
Step 7
You’ll see the tough base of the bok choy where the outer leaves were attached. Trim off this base with a knife to prepare it for cutting.
Step 8
Cut the trimmed bok choy in half lengthwise. You’ll be adding both the separated outer leaves and these halves to the stir-fry. This ensures even cooking for a better texture.
Step 9
Now, let’s start stir-frying! Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan. Add the minced garlic and chopped green onions, and stir-fry until fragrant. It’s important to cook them until their aroma infuses the oil.
Step 10
Once you can smell the aromatic garlic and green onion, add the marinated beef. Stir-fry the beef until it’s cooked halfway through, like you’re deep-frying it. Cook until it’s nicely browned; this seals in the juices and enhances the flavor.
Step 11
When the beef is about half-cooked, add the bok choy and 1 Tbsp of oyster sauce. Stir-fry quickly over high heat until everything is well combined – you want to hear that ‘sizzling’ sound! To keep the bok choy crisp, stir-frying over high heat for a short time is key.
Step 12
Once all ingredients are well combined, turn off the heat. Drizzle sesame oil around the edges of the pan for extra aroma. Finally, sprinkle with black pepper to taste and give it a final mix. Your delicious Beef and Bok Choy Stir-fry is ready! It’s also incredibly tasty served over warm rice as a donburi.
