Flavorful & Tender Pork Jowl Doenjang-Gui (Fermented Soybean Paste Grilled Pork Jowl)
Perfect for the Hottest Days! Grilled Pork Jowl with Doenjang Paste: Tips to Grill Without Burning the Sauce
Hello everyone, it’s Lee-ut-sa-sa-ma ♪(´ε｀*) Which cut of pork do you love the most? I personally adore pork jowl (hangjeongsal) for its incredibly tender texture and satisfying, slightly chewy bite! While delicious grilled on its own, transforming it into a ‘Doenjang-gui’ with a savory fermented soybean paste marinade elevates it to an entirely new, fantastic level of deliciousness! In this recipe, I’ll guide you through making your pork jowl exceptionally tasty with a special doenjang sauce. I’ll also share my secrets for grilling it to a perfect golden-brown without burning the sauce, so let’s create some amazing Doenjang-Gui pork jowl together!
Main Ingredients- 300g Pork Jowl (Hangjeongsal), sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 Tbsp Doenjang (Korean fermented soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp Guk-ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce) or regular soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Maesil-cheong (Plum extract syrup) – adds sweetness and depth
- 1/2 Tbsp Sugar – adjust sweetness to your preference
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil – for a nutty aroma
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking sake) – helps remove any porky odor
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic – for a rich garlic flavor
Optional Ingredients- 10 cloves Garlic, thinly sliced – grilling with the pork adds a fragrant touch
- 1 bunch Chives – great to lightly sauté and serve alongside
- 10 cloves Garlic, thinly sliced – grilling with the pork adds a fragrant touch
- 1 bunch Chives – great to lightly sauté and serve alongside
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s make a delicious doenjang marinade! In a small bowl, combine 1 Tbsp doenjang, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp maesil-cheong, 1/2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 1 Tbsp mirin, and 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic. Stir everything together with a spoon until well combined to create your base doenjang sauce.
Step 2
Now, pour the prepared doenjang sauce over the pork jowl. Gently massage the sauce into the meat with your hands, ensuring every piece is evenly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Allowing it to marinate longer will deepen the flavors even further.
Step 3
While the pork is marinating, let’s prepare for grilling. Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add just a tiny bit of cooking oil to prevent sticking. Once the pan is moderately hot, you’re ready to start cooking!
Step 4
Place the marinated pork jowl into the heated pan. If you’re using the optional sliced garlic, add it to the pan now; its savory aroma will meld beautifully with the pork marinade. Continue to cook over medium heat.
Step 5
To ensure the pork jowl cooks evenly and the sauce doesn’t burn, it’s important to flip it frequently while cooking over medium heat. Grill until the pork develops a beautiful golden-brown color and the garlic slices are lightly toasted. Your delicious Pork Jowl Doenjang-Gui is now complete! For an extra touch, you can lightly sauté the chives and serve them alongside.
