Perfectly Balanced Gochujang Pork Belly Stir-fry
Homemade Gochujang Pork Belly Stir-fry Recipe: A Flavorful Korean Classic
Tender pork belly meets a vibrant, savory-sweet gochujang sauce for an irresistible stir-fry dish. This ‘Gochujang Pork Belly Bulgogi’ is a guaranteed rice-lover’s delight, perfect for a special meal at home.
Main Ingredients
- 600g Pork Belly (Pork Jowl is also great)
- 1/4 Onion (adjust to your preference)
- 1 Green Onion (Scallion)
- A pinch of Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
Irresistible Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (Rice Wine)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (Corn Syrup – for gloss and sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (Rice Wine)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (Corn Syrup – for gloss and sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s gather the ingredients for a delicious stir-fry. You’ll need 600g of pork belly (about 1 lb or 1.3 lbs), 1 fresh green onion, and 1/4 onion for a touch of sweetness and crunch.
Step 2
Time to prep the vegetables. Slice the green onion diagonally into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the onion into strips – this will help it cook evenly and release its natural sweetness.
Step 3
Cut the pork belly into bite-sized pieces that are easy to eat. Slicing them not too thick will ensure the sauce penetrates well and cooks evenly.
Step 4
Now for the magic touch: the sauce! Combine all the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Preparing the sauce beforehand will make the cooking process much smoother.
Step 5
In a separate bowl, gently massage the pork belly with 1 Tbsp of sugar and 1 Tbsp of mirin. This initial marination helps tenderize the meat and remove any unwanted odors, while preparing it to absorb the flavors.
Step 6
Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add the marinated pork belly. Sear the pork until it starts to brown. Then, reduce the heat to medium and continue to stir-fry, ensuring it doesn’t burn. Alternating between medium-high and medium heat helps cook the pork thoroughly while keeping it juicy.
Step 7
Once the pork belly is about 80% cooked, add 2 Tbsp of soy sauce. Increase the heat back to medium-high and stir-fry quickly. This step glazes the pork with soy sauce, adding depth of flavor and preventing it from sticking to the pan.
Step 8
When the soy sauce has coated the pork nicely, add all the prepared gochujang sauce ingredients (gochugaru, gochujang, minced garlic, oligodang, and black pepper). Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir continuously to ensure the sauce is evenly distributed and doesn’t scorch.
Step 9
Once the sauce has thickened and coated the pork beautifully, it’s time to add the prepped onion and green onion. These vegetables will add a lovely sweetness and aromatic freshness to the dish.
Step 10
Continue to stir-fry for just a few more minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Your delicious Gochujang Pork Belly Stir-fry is ready! Transfer it to a serving plate, garnish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, and enjoy this fantastic meal with a bowl of hot rice.
