Rich & Savory Stir-Fried Jjajang Ramen
My Secret to Delicious Stir-Fried Jjajang Ramen with Anchovy Sauce!
I absolutely love jjajang ramen, but I’ve discovered a secret to making it even more delicious than store-bought! This recipe adds a deep, complex flavor using anchovy sauce and a rich aroma from rendered pork fat. Get ready to elevate your instant jjajang ramen game!
Main Ingredients
- Jjajang ramen 2 packs
- 1 potato
- 1/2 onion
- 2 chili peppers (e.g., jalapeño or regular green chili)
- Small amount of pork fat (about 50g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel and wash the potato, then dice it into 1cm cubes. Dice the onion into similar-sized pieces. Finely chop the chili peppers after removing the seeds. Cutting the vegetables into uniform sizes will ensure they cook evenly.
Step 2
Heat a deep frying pan or wok over medium heat. Add the diced potatoes to the pan and begin to stir-fry them. This will coat the potatoes in oil and start softening them.
Step 3
Once the potatoes start to become slightly translucent, add the diced onion, chili peppers, and the pork fat. Sprinkle in the 2 Tbsp of sugar. Adding sugar at this stage helps the ingredients release moisture and absorb flavors more effectively, leading to a deeper taste. Stir-fry everything together to release their aromas.
Step 4
When the pork fat has rendered some fat and looks slightly golden, use scissors or a knife to cut the fat into bite-sized pieces (about 1cm) directly in the pan. Continue to stir-fry the cut fat and vegetables over high heat for another 1-2 minutes to enhance their savory flavor and texture.
Step 5
Pour the 2 Tbsp of anchovy sauce along the edges of the hot pan. As the anchovy sauce sizzles and slightly caramelizes on the hot pan, it will impart a smoky, deep flavor, similar to ‘wok hei’. Stir everything together to evenly distribute the sauce.
Step 6
Now, add the jjajang powder from the ramen packets. Add the 1 Tbsp of gochugaru and 1/2 Tbsp of gochujang. Stir-fry everything quickly over high heat for about 1 minute, being careful not to burn the ingredients. This step helps to meld the flavors of the jjajang sauce.
Step 7
Pour in 1 cup (200ml) of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and the flavors have deepened.
Step 8
Once the sauce has reduced, prepare a slurry by mixing 1 Tbsp of cornstarch with 1-2 Tbsp of water. While stirring the sauce over low heat, gradually add the cornstarch slurry. Continue to stir until the sauce reaches your desired thick and glossy consistency.
Step 9
Your rich and flavorful stir-fried jjajang sauce is complete! Now, let’s get ready to cook the noodles and mix everything together.
Step 10
Boil plenty of water in a pot. Once boiling, add the 2 packs of jjajang ramen noodles and cook them for about 1 minute longer than the package instructions suggest. Drain the noodles and immediately rinse them under cold running water to enhance their chewy texture. Drain thoroughly in a colander.
Step 11
Arrange the drained, chewy noodles attractively in a serving bowl.
Step 12
Finally, generously ladle the hot, delicious stir-fried jjajang sauce over the noodles. Your ultimate homemade stir-fried jjajang ramen is ready to be enjoyed! Enjoy your meal!
