Golden Ratio Stir-fried Fish Cakes
The Ultimate Stir-fried Fish Cakes Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Explore my foolproof recipe for stir-fried fish cakes, a beloved Korean side dish. As my husband’s favorite, I often make it using various recipes, but this particular ‘golden ratio’ version stands out for its perfect balance of flavors and textures. It’s incredibly simple yet delivers restaurant-quality taste, making it a true rice thief!
Main Ingredients- 5 sheets of square fish cakes (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1/2 onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 stalk of green onion (chopped)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your ingredients. Cut the square fish cakes into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the onion and chop the green onion. While traditionally cut into rectangles, I’ve opted for a longer, skinnier cut here to make them easy to pick up with the onion. This shape also helps them absorb the seasoning wonderfully.
Step 2
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped green onions. Sauté them until fragrant, allowing the garlic and green onion aromas to infuse the oil. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 3
Once the aroma from the garlic and green onion is noticeable, add the sliced onions to the pan. Stir-fry them together until they become slightly translucent. This process will bring out the natural sweetness of the onions, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish.
Step 4
Now it’s time to add all the seasoning ingredients. Combine the soy sauce, gochugaru (Korean chili powder), and sugar. Stir well to mix. A key tip here is to add only a small amount of water. Too much water will prolong the cooking time and can make the ingredients mushy. Add just enough to help the seasonings combine.
Step 5
After the seasonings are somewhat mixed, add all the prepared fish cakes to the pan. Stir-fry them with the seasoning mixture until the liquid has mostly reduced. Remember, we added minimal water, so continue to cook until the sauce has thickened and coated the fish cakes beautifully. This ensures the fish cakes are flavorful and not watery.
Step 6
Finally, if you prefer a touch more sweetness, stir in about half a tablespoon of corn syrup or oligodang to adjust to your liking. Once everything is well-cooked and coated, sprinkle generously with sesame seeds for a final touch of nutty flavor. Your delicious stir-fried fish cakes are ready to be enjoyed!
