Savory and Sweet Soy Sauce Braised Fish Cakes
How to Make Braised Fish Cakes with Soy Sauce (Baek Jong-won’s Recipe)
This is my favorite side dish, braised fish cakes (eomuk bokkeum), made using Chef Baek Jong-won’s popular recipe. It’s a fantastic banchan that disappears quickly from the table! (Tablespoon measurement is based on a standard Korean soup spoon.)
Main Ingredients
- 3 sheets of square fish cakes (approx. 136g)
- 30g carrot
- 1/4 onion (approx. 44g)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 10g green onion
- 2 Tbsp grapeseed oil
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds
Seasoning
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1.5 to 1.7 Tbsp corn syrup (oligo당)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1.5 to 1.7 Tbsp corn syrup (oligo당)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the 3 sheets of square fish cakes. Fold each sheet in half lengthwise, then cut them into strips about 1.5cm thick. Cutting them this way helps the sauce penetrate better.
Step 2
Julienne the onion and carrot into thin slices, about 3mm thick. Mince the garlic (0.5 Tbsp) and thinly slice the green onion. Chef Baek Jong-won sometimes uses 1 Tbsp of chopped scallions instead of green onions, so feel free to use what you have on hand.
Step 3
Place all the prepared fish cakes, onion, and carrot into a wide stir-fry pan. Add the minced garlic and sliced green onion as well.
Step 4
Next, add 2 Tbsp of grapeseed oil to the pan to enhance the flavor of the braised fish cakes. The oil helps prevent sticking and ensures even cooking.
Step 5
Then, pour 2 Tbsp of soy sauce around the edges of the pan. Letting the soy sauce slightly caramelize against the hot pan can add a deeper layer of flavor.
Step 6
Add 1.5 Tbsp of corn syrup (oligo당) for sweetness. You can adjust this to 1.7 Tbsp depending on your preference.
Step 7
Now, turn the heat to medium and start stir-frying to combine all the ingredients and seasonings. It’s important to stir frequently to prevent burning.
Step 8
Continue to stir-fry for about 3-5 minutes, or until the fish cakes have absorbed a beautiful soy sauce color. Once the sauce is well-absorbed into the fish cakes, turn off the heat.
Step 9
Taste the dish and if it needs more saltiness, add a little more soy sauce. If you prefer it sweeter, add a touch more corn syrup. Stir well again to combine.
Step 10
Finally, add 0.5 Tbsp of sesame oil for a nutty aroma and stir briefly. It’s best to add sesame oil at the end, as prolonged cooking can diminish its fragrance.
Step 11
Transfer the braised fish cakes to a serving dish and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Your delicious Baek Jong-won style soy sauce braised fish cakes are complete! Enjoy them with a warm bowl of rice.
