Octopus Bossam (Samhap): A Luxurious Boiled Pork Recipe for Special Occasions
[Mom’s Birthday Feast – Octopus Samhap] Easy Home-Style Boiled Pork Recipe
Learn how to make Octopus Bossam (Samhap) easily at home. This is a dish I always prepare for my mother’s birthday. You must try it!
Main Ingredients- Pork Belly or Pork Shoulder (with skin) 900g
- 1 Octopus (whole, cleaned)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the broth ingredients to remove any gamey smell and add flavor to the boiled pork. Fill a large pot with plenty of water. Add the roughly chopped onion, a bunch of thoroughly washed green onions, 1 sachet of instant coffee, 1 bay leaf, 1 tablespoon of doenjang, and 5 Korean green peppers. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat to infuse the broth.
Step 2
Once the broth is boiling vigorously, add the pork belly or pork shoulder whole. It doesn’t matter which cut you use, as long as it’s pork belly or pork shoulder. Ensure the meat is fully submerged in the broth.
Step 3
Now, it’s important to manage the cooking time accurately. For the first 40 minutes, boil over high heat to ensure the heat penetrates the meat thoroughly. After 40 minutes, you’ll notice the water level has reduced and the broth has become richer in color. Reduce the heat to medium and continue boiling for another 30 minutes. This brings the total boiling time to 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Step 4
To check if the pork is cooked, insert a chopstick into the thickest part of the meat. If it goes in smoothly and easily, it’s perfectly cooked. If the chopstick meets resistance, reduce the heat to very low and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Step 5
Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the broth and briefly blanch it in hot water. This step helps remove any surface impurities and seals in the juices. Immediately after, rinse it under cold or ice-cold water to firm up the texture, making the meat more chewy and delicious.
Step 6
Finally, slice the octopus and the boiled pork into bite-sized pieces and arrange them beautifully on a platter. Your delicious Octopus Bossam is ready! Serve with fresh lettuce wraps, garlic, ssamjang (dipping sauce), and other accompaniments. Make a memorable impression with this heartfelt Octopus Bossam dish for a special day.
