Crispy and Delicious Stir-Fried Anchovies Recipe
Super Simple Stir-Fried Anchovies: Ready in 3 Minutes! Soy Sauce Flavored, with Tips to Keep Them Crispy, Not Hard
Today, I’ve made a super simple and popular Korean side dish: stir-fried anchovies! This dish alone is enough to make you finish a bowl of rice in no time. It’s crispy, savory, and incredibly easy to make – you can even whip it up in just 3 minutes! Even beginner cooks can follow along easily. If you love anchovies, give this recipe a try. We’ll share tips to ensure they stay delightfully crispy and never hard.
Main Ingredients
- 50g stir-frying anchovies (gutted)
- 2.5 swirls of cooking oil (approx. 1.5 Tbsp)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- Sesame seeds, to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gather all the ingredients needed for your stir-fried anchovies. You’ll need 50g of anchovies suitable for stir-frying, cooking oil, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1.5 tablespoons of mirin, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and some sesame seeds to sprinkle on top. Using anchovies specifically labeled for stir-frying will give you the best texture. If your anchovies have heads or guts, removing them can help reduce any bitterness.
Step 2
Heat your pan over medium-low heat and add about 2.5 swirls of cooking oil (approximately 1.5 tablespoons). Add the prepared anchovies and stir-fry them, making sure they don’t burn. Cooking anchovies over medium-low heat from the start helps them become nutty and prevents burning. This step also helps to remove any fishy odor.
Step 3
Once the anchovies start releasing a nutty aroma, push them slightly to one side of the pan. Pour in 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1.5 tablespoons of mirin into the empty space. Let the soy sauce and mirin simmer briefly in the hot pan; you’ll notice a wonderful aroma. Quickly stir everything together to combine the anchovies with the sauce. It’s crucial to manage the heat to prevent the sauce from burning.
Step 4
Finally, add 1 tablespoon of sugar and sprinkle in your desired amount of sesame seeds. Be cautious, as sugar can cause the anchovies to burn quickly. Stir everything together rapidly and continue stir-frying for just one or two more times. Once the anchovies are glossy and well-coated with the sauce, turn off the heat. Avoid overcooking, as this can make the anchovies tough.
Step 5
And there you have it – your delicious stir-fried anchovies are ready in no time! They are perfect served over a bowl of hot rice. Enjoy this wonderfully crispy and savory side dish that’s a true delight for any meal!
