Delicious Soy Sauce Marinated Shrimp (Ganjang Saeu Jang): The Ultimate Rice Companion!
Easy & Delicious Homemade Soy Sauce Marinated Shrimp – A Perfect Side Dish!
Experience the delightful chewiness of fresh shrimp, infused with a savory and sweet soy sauce marinade that penetrates every bite. This is a universally loved side dish that’s so good, it speaks for itself! Learn how to make this irresistible Ganjang Saeu Jang at home.
Main Ingredients- Fresh Shrimp 1.2kg (approx. 40 shrimp)
- Scallions, Cheongyang chili peppers, and red chili peppers (for garnish), a small amount of each
- Sesame seeds (for garnish), a sprinkle
- Sesame oil (optional, for garnish), 1-2 drops to taste
Soy Sauce Marinade- Soy sauce 1 cup
- Mirin or cooking wine 1 cup
- Sugar 5 Tbsp
- Dried chili peppers 3
- Ginger, thinly sliced (like coins) 30g
- Water 730ml
Shrimp Rinsing Water- Soju or cooking sake 100ml
- Water 600ml
- Salt 2 Tbsp
- Ice cubes (optional)
- Soy sauce 1 cup
- Mirin or cooking wine 1 cup
- Sugar 5 Tbsp
- Dried chili peppers 3
- Ginger, thinly sliced (like coins) 30g
- Water 730ml
Shrimp Rinsing Water- Soju or cooking sake 100ml
- Water 600ml
- Salt 2 Tbsp
- Ice cubes (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the soy sauce marinade. In a pot, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sugar, dried chili peppers, sliced ginger, and 730ml of water. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Once it starts boiling, continue to simmer for about 8 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Boiling the marinade ensures it’s well-infused.
Step 2
After boiling, strain the soy sauce mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the solids; discard the solids. The remaining clear marinade needs to be completely cooled. It’s crucial to let it cool down; adding hot marinade to shrimp will cook them prematurely.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the shrimp. If you have fresh shrimp, start by removing the heads and shells. Next, use a skewer to poke along the back or belly side of each shrimp and carefully pull out the dark intestinal tract (the ‘vein’). Removing this ensures a cleaner flavor.
Step 4
If you want to make the shrimp look even more appealing, you can do this step: Gently press the flesh side of the cleaned shrimp with the back of a knife and split it open slightly. This creates a more visually pleasing presentation and helps the marinade penetrate better. (Optional step)
Step 5
Next, it’s time to wash the shrimp thoroughly. In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the rinsing water: 100ml soju, 600ml water, and 2 Tbsp salt. Mix well. Add the prepared shrimp to this mixture and gently swirl or stir for about 1-2 minutes. The soju helps remove any unpleasant odors, and the salt adds a subtle seasoning.
Step 6
After washing, drain the shrimp in a colander or spread them out on a layer of paper towels. Pat them dry meticulously to remove excess moisture. If the shrimp are too wet, the soy sauce marinade can become diluted.
Step 7
We’re on the final stretch to creating your shrimp! In a clean, sterilized container, place the dried shrimp. Pour the completely cooled soy sauce marinade over the shrimp, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover the container and refrigerate for at least half a day (about 12 hours) to let the flavors mature. The longer it marinates, the deeper the flavor will become.
Step 8
Once your Ganjang Saeu Jang is ready, before serving, plate the shrimp and garnish generously with the finely chopped scallions, Cheongyang chili peppers, and red chili peppers. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and, if desired, a drop or two of sesame oil for extra aroma. Enjoy this delicious treat with freshly cooked warm rice!
