Savory and Sweet Stir-Fried Fish Cakes (Eomuk Bokkeum)
Easy Everyday Side Dish: Delicious Stir-Fried Fish Cakes
Introducing Eomuk Bokkeum, a universally loved side dish that’s a hit with the whole family! The irresistible combination of savory and sweet flavors makes this a true rice-stealer. Since the taste diminishes when refrigerated, we recommend enjoying it hot right after cooking. Here are some simple tips to make this quick stir-fry even more delicious!
Main Ingredients- 3 sheets of Korean fish cakes (Eomuk)
- 1 stalk of green onion
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/4 onion
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (Cheongju or Mirin)
- 1 Tbsp rice syrup (or corn syrup)
- A little cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, lightly grease a pan with cooking oil and heat over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onion and sauté for 1-2 minutes until it releases a sweet aroma. The sweetness of the onion will enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
Step 2
Once the onion becomes slightly translucent, briefly rinse the fish cakes under hot water to remove any excess oil or additives. Cut them into bite-sized pieces (about 1-1.5 cm wide) and add them to the pan with the onions. Stir-fry together. Rinsing the fish cakes results in a cleaner taste.
Step 3
After stir-frying the fish cakes for about 1 minute until they soften, add the chopped green onion and minced garlic. Toss everything together quickly, just enough to combine the ingredients. The key is to not overcook the garlic, preserving its fresh aroma.
Step 4
Add 1 Tbsp soy sauce and 1 Tbsp cooking wine (Cheongju). Continue to stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to coat the fish cakes and vegetables evenly. If you prefer a spicy kick, add a very small amount (less than 1/4 tsp) of red pepper flakes (gochugaru) at this stage and stir-fry quickly. Be careful not to add too much, as it can result in a gritty texture. Finally, add 1 Tbsp rice syrup (or corn syrup) to add gloss and adjust sweetness to your preference. Feel free to increase or decrease the sweetness as needed. Just before turning off the heat, add a drop or two of sesame oil for a nutty fragrance.
