Garlic Sweet and Sour Pork (Tangsooyuk)
Homemade Baek Jong Won’s Garlic Tangsooyuk Recipe
Learn how to make delicious Garlic Tangsooyuk at home, inspired by Baek Jong Won’s ‘Taste of Origin’ recipe. This dish features crispy pork with a rich garlic aroma, perfect for a special meal or a delightful home-cooked treat.
Tangsooyuk Ingredients
- Pork loin 500g
- Minced garlic 50g
- Black pepper 1g (approx. 1/4 tsp)
- Salt 1g (approx. 1/4 tsp)
- Soy sauce 10g (1 Tbsp)
- Frying powder 160g (approx. 1 cup)
- Water 120g (approx. 1/2 cup)
- Cooking oil (for deep frying, plenty)
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Carrot (approx. 1/4)
- Onion (approx. 1/4)
- Cucumber (approx. 1/4)
- Water 270g (approx. 1 cup + 2 Tbsp)
- Brown sugar 60g (approx. 1/4 cup)
- Vinegar 40g (approx. 3 Tbsp)
- Soy sauce 20g (approx. 1.5 Tbsp)
- Minced ginger 3g (approx. 1/2 tsp)
- Cornstarch 10g (2 Tbsp) + Water 20g (2 Tbsp)
- Carrot (approx. 1/4)
- Onion (approx. 1/4)
- Cucumber (approx. 1/4)
- Water 270g (approx. 1 cup + 2 Tbsp)
- Brown sugar 60g (approx. 1/4 cup)
- Vinegar 40g (approx. 3 Tbsp)
- Soy sauce 20g (approx. 1.5 Tbsp)
- Minced ginger 3g (approx. 1/2 tsp)
- Cornstarch 10g (2 Tbsp) + Water 20g (2 Tbsp)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the star of the dish: 500g of pork loin. Slice it into long strips, about 1.5cm thick. It’s important to keep them relatively thick; if they’re too thin, the pork can become tough and dry after frying.
Step 2
To the sliced pork, add 50g of minced garlic to eliminate any gamey odor, along with 1g of black pepper, 1g of salt, and 10g (1 Tbsp) of soy sauce.
Step 3
Gently massage the seasonings into the pork with your hands, ensuring an even coating. Let it marinate for about 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the crispy coating. In a bowl, combine 160g (about 1 cup) of frying powder with 120g (about 1/2 cup) of water. Mix until you have a batter that’s not too thick or thin, just enough to coat the pork pieces. For an extra crispy texture, add 20g (2 Tbsp) of cooking oil to the batter and mix well.
Step 5
Add the marinated pork pieces to the batter and gently toss them, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Separate any pieces that might have clumped together.
Step 6
Heat your frying oil to approximately 140°C (285°F). You can test the temperature by dropping a small piece of batter into the oil; it should sink slightly before slowly rising with small bubbles. Carefully add the coated pork to the hot oil and fry for the first time for about 3-4 minutes. This initial fry cooks the inside while setting the coating. The exact time may vary depending on the thickness of your pork pieces.
Step 7
Remove the partially fried pork from the oil and let it drain on a wire rack for a few minutes. This resting period helps to achieve a crispier final product.
Step 8
Increase the oil temperature to about 160-170°C (320-340°F). Test by dropping a bit of batter; it should sizzle and rise quickly. Now, give the pork a second fry for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, until golden brown and extra crispy. This second fry is key to achieving that perfect crunch.
Step 9
Once the second frying is complete, transfer the crispy Tangsooyuk to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. While the pork rests, let’s prepare the irresistible sauce.
Step 10
Prepare your vegetables for the sauce: chop the carrot, onion, and cucumber into bite-sized pieces, about 0.5cm thick. Uniform pieces will cook evenly and provide a pleasant texture in the sauce.
Step 11
In a saucepan, combine the chopped vegetables, 270g of water, 60g of brown sugar, 40g of vinegar, 20g of soy sauce, and 3g of minced ginger. Bring this mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the vegetables are tender.
Step 12
While the sauce is simmering, prepare the cornstarch slurry: in a small bowl, whisk together 10g of cornstarch (2 Tbsp) with 20g of water (2 Tbsp) until smooth. Gradually pour this slurry into the simmering sauce, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Once thickened, remove from heat. Pour the hot sauce over the crispy fried pork, and your delicious Garlic Tangsooyuk is ready to be enjoyed!
