Easy Homemade Soy Sauce Marinated Shrimp (Ganjang Saewoo Jang)
The Ultimate Guide to Making Delicious Soy Sauce Marinated Shrimp at Home – An Easy Recipe!
Elevate your home cooking with this incredibly simple recipe for soy sauce marinated shrimp (Ganjang Saewoo Jang)! Forget those expensive restaurant versions; this homemade delight is just as, if not more, delicious and surprisingly easy to make. Get ready to discover your new favorite rice-pairing dish!
Main Ingredients- 500g peeled shrimp (cleaned and deveined)
- 1/2 stalk green onion (scallion), thinly sliced
- 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced (wash thoroughly)
- 2 Korean chili peppers (optional, for heat), thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (for deodorizing)
Soy Sauce Marinade- 6 Tbsp sugar
- 1 cup water (200ml)
- 1 cup soy sauce (200ml)
- 1/2 cup cooking wine (or mirin) (100ml)
- 6 Tbsp sugar
- 1 cup water (200ml)
- 1 cup soy sauce (200ml)
- 1/2 cup cooking wine (or mirin) (100ml)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the soy sauce marinade, which is the heart of this dish. Since it needs to be boiled and cooled, this is the first step. In a pot, combine 6 Tbsp sugar, 1 cup water, 1 cup soy sauce, and 1/2 cup cooking wine. Stir well to dissolve the sugar, then bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. Once it simmers, turn off the heat and let the marinade cool completely. Boiling and cooling the marinade helps kill any bacteria and deepens its flavor.
Step 2
Next, we’ll prepare the shrimp. Remove any deveining or shell remnants and rinse the shrimp thoroughly under cold running water. Then, add 2 Tbsp of cooking wine and gently massage it into the shrimp. Let it sit for about 10 minutes; this step is crucial for removing any fishy odor. After 10 minutes, rinse the shrimp again under cold water and drain them very well. Patting them dry with paper towels is recommended to remove excess moisture.
Step 3
While the soy sauce marinade is cooling, let’s get the other ingredients ready. We have green onions, onion, lemon, and Korean chili peppers for a touch of heat. If you enjoy garlic, feel free to add some thinly sliced garlic cloves as well! Wash and thinly slice the green onion (both white and green parts).
Step 4
Peel and rinse the half onion, then slice it thinly into strips. Sliced onion will add a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the marinade as it ferments.
Step 5
Thoroughly wash the half lemon using baking soda or coarse salt to remove any residue from the skin. Remove any seeds and then slice the lemon thinly. The lemon’s zestiness will cut through any richness and add a refreshing aroma.
Step 6
Trim the stems off the 2 Korean chili peppers, wash them, and then thinly slice them. If you prefer more heat, you can add extra peppers, or deseed them if you want a milder flavor.
Step 7
Now it’s time to assemble the dish. Prepare a clean, sterilized airtight container or glass jar. Place the well-drained shrimp into the container first.
Step 8
Evenly distribute the sliced green onions, sliced onions, and chili peppers over the shrimp. These aromatics will infuse the shrimp with their flavors during the marination process.
Step 9
Finally, arrange the lemon slices attractively on top. The fragrant citrus notes from the lemon will beautifully complement the savory soy sauce, creating a more complex and delightful taste.
Step 10
Pour the cooled soy sauce marinade over the ingredients. Make sure the shrimp and vegetables are fully submerged in the liquid. This ensures that the flavors penetrate evenly.
Step 11
Seal the container tightly with a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 to 2 days to allow the flavors to meld. The longer it marinates, the more delicious and deeply flavored the shrimp will become. The wait is worth it for the best taste!
Step 12
Voila! Your homemade Ganjang Saewoo Jang is ready. Serve it over rice for a delicious rice bowl, or as a side dish with your favorite meals. It’s a true ‘rice thief’ (bab-doduk)! For optimal flavor, consider letting it marinate for 2-3 days in the refrigerator; it becomes less salty and less fishy, offering a perfectly balanced taste.
