Delicious Pork Bulgogi: The Golden Recipe
Spicy and Sweet Pork Bulgogi Everyone Loves
On the first day of the Chuseok holiday, enjoy a delicious homemade Pork Bulgogi for dinner before heading to the countryside tomorrow! This recipe is easy to make at home and features a beloved Korean spicy and sweet marinade that perfectly enhances the pork’s flavor. Have a satisfying dinner with Pork Bulgogi tonight and get ready for your trip!
Main Ingredients
- Pork (front leg, thinly sliced for bulgogi) 526g: Using front leg meat, which is lean yet flavorful, is ideal for bulgogi. Pre-sliced meat makes preparation quick and easy.
- Onion 1/2: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor. Slice into thick strips.
- Green Onion 1: Provides a fresh, aromatic taste. Slice diagonally.
Spicy & Sweet Marinade
- Soy Sauce (jin ganjang) 2 Tbsp: Essential for the fundamental savory base of the bulgogi.
- Gochujang (red chili paste) 2 Tbsp: Adds spiciness and a rich flavor. Using fine gochujang ensures a smooth marinade.
- Gochugaru (red chili flakes) 1 Tbsp: Adjusts the color and adds a pleasant heat. Feel free to modify to your preference.
- Plum Extract (maesil aekgi) 2 Tbsp: Helps tenderize the pork, removes gamey odors, and adds a subtle sweetness and shine.
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp: A staple in Korean cooking, it significantly enhances the overall aroma and taste.
- Oligosaccharide 1/2 Tbsp: Provides a glossy finish and a smooth sweetness. Can be substituted with corn syrup.
- Sesame Seeds (whole) A pinch: Adds a nutty flavor and visual appeal. Sprinkle on top at the end.
- Black Pepper A dash: Helps eliminate any porky smell and balances the flavors.
- Sesame Oil A dash: Contributes a rich, nutty aroma and elevates the dish. Add just before turning off the heat or at the very end.
- Soy Sauce (jin ganjang) 2 Tbsp: Essential for the fundamental savory base of the bulgogi.
- Gochujang (red chili paste) 2 Tbsp: Adds spiciness and a rich flavor. Using fine gochujang ensures a smooth marinade.
- Gochugaru (red chili flakes) 1 Tbsp: Adjusts the color and adds a pleasant heat. Feel free to modify to your preference.
- Plum Extract (maesil aekgi) 2 Tbsp: Helps tenderize the pork, removes gamey odors, and adds a subtle sweetness and shine.
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp: A staple in Korean cooking, it significantly enhances the overall aroma and taste.
- Oligosaccharide 1/2 Tbsp: Provides a glossy finish and a smooth sweetness. Can be substituted with corn syrup.
- Sesame Seeds (whole) A pinch: Adds a nutty flavor and visual appeal. Sprinkle on top at the end.
- Black Pepper A dash: Helps eliminate any porky smell and balances the flavors.
- Sesame Oil A dash: Contributes a rich, nutty aroma and elevates the dish. Add just before turning off the heat or at the very end.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the Pork: Take the 526g of thinly sliced pork front leg meat, intended for bulgogi. Gently pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess blood for a cleaner taste.
Step 2
Marinate the Pork: In a large bowl, place the prepared pork. Add soy sauce (2 Tbsp), gochujang (2 Tbsp), gochugaru (1 Tbsp), plum extract (2 Tbsp), minced garlic (1 Tbsp), oligosaccharide (1/2 Tbsp), and black pepper (a dash). Mix everything thoroughly with your hands, ensuring the marinade evenly coats the meat. For a deeper flavor, let it marinate in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
Step 3
Add Vegetables: Add the thickly sliced onion (1/2) and diagonally sliced green onion (1) to the marinated pork. Gently toss to combine. The moisture released from the vegetables will naturally loosen the marinade, making the dish more succulent.
Step 4
Cook the Bulgogi: Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork and vegetables. Initially, cover the pan and let it cook for about 3-4 minutes until it starts to steam and cook. Once the pork begins to cook, remove the lid. Continue to stir-fry, allowing the sauce to thicken and the pork to become nicely browned and slightly caramelized. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Finish by drizzling with sesame oil and sprinkling with sesame seeds for a final touch of aroma and flavor. Your delicious Pork Bulgogi is ready!
