Siso Topping Porridge (덮죽)
Making Siso Topping Porridge, Inspired by Baek Jong-won’s Pohang Deopjuk
Intrigued by the unique Pohang Deopjuk from the TV show ‘Baek Jong-won’s Alley Restaurant’, I’ve recreated a version at home called ‘Siso Topping Porridge’ (Siso Deopjuk). It features a base of plain white porridge topped with stir-fried spinach and beef in a savory sauce. The combination is surprisingly delicious and deeply satisfying! You can also watch the cooking process in detail on YouTube: https://youtu.be/du0L0alXHSE
Main Ingredients- Beef 200g
- Rice 1 cup
- Carrot 1/3
- Onion 1/2
- Shiitake Mushrooms 2 (approx. 50g)
- Enoki Mushrooms 1 bag
- Green Onion 1/3
- Spinach 80g
Seasoning & Others- Soy Sauce 3 Tbsp
- Oyster Sauce 3 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp
- Grated Ginger a little
- Sugar 1.5 Tbsp
- Chili Oil 2.5~3 Tbsp (adjust for spice preference)
- Cornstarch 1/2 Tbsp
- Cooking Wine 2 Tbsp
- Salt a little
- Pepper a little
- Sesame Oil
- Sesame Seeds appropriate amount
- Soy Sauce 3 Tbsp
- Oyster Sauce 3 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp
- Grated Ginger a little
- Sugar 1.5 Tbsp
- Chili Oil 2.5~3 Tbsp (adjust for spice preference)
- Cornstarch 1/2 Tbsp
- Cooking Wine 2 Tbsp
- Salt a little
- Pepper a little
- Sesame Oil
- Sesame Seeds appropriate amount
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly rinse the rice under running water several times to remove any impurities. Then, soak the rice for at least 30 minutes. Soaking the rice makes the porridge much smoother and more flavorful.
Step 2
Prepare the beef by cutting it into bite-sized pieces (cubes or strips). Season the beef lightly with salt and pepper according to your preference. Add 2 tablespoons of cooking wine to marinate, which helps remove any gamey odor and tenderizes the meat.
Step 3
Prepare the vegetables for the porridge. Finely dice the carrot and onion. Slice the shiitake mushrooms thinly after removing the stems. You can use other mushrooms, but enoki mushrooms add a pleasant chewy texture, so they are highly recommended. Separate the enoki mushrooms by pulling them apart.
Step 4
Wash the spinach thoroughly and cut it into approximately 2-3 cm lengths. If you enjoy a bit of heat, you can add some finely chopped red chili pepper or Korean green chili pepper (Go Chu) at this stage. Adding chili peppers will enhance the overall flavor profile of the deopjuk.
Step 5
In a pot, heat a generous amount of sesame oil over medium-low heat. Add the soaked rice and stir-fry until the grains become slightly translucent. Once the rice is fragrant, pour in 8 cups (approx. 1.6 liters) of water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the rice grains break down and soften into a porridge consistency. Lightly season the porridge with salt to prevent it from tasting bland as it thickens.
Step 6
In a separate pan, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the chopped green onions and sauté until fragrant to create an aromatic oil base. Add the diced carrots, onions, and marinated beef, and stir-fry until the beef is cooked. Then, add the oyster sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, sugar, and chili oil, and stir-fry to combine the seasonings. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1 cup of cold water until smooth. Gradually pour this slurry into the simmering sauce mixture in the pan, stirring constantly until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Step 7
Once the sauce has thickened, add the enoki mushrooms and spinach. Stir-fry briefly just until the spinach wilts and the mushrooms soften slightly. Be careful not to overcook, as this can make them mushy. Turn off the heat. Drizzle with a little sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds to finish, according to your preference.
Step 8
Serve the warm white porridge generously topped with the flavorful stir-fried beef, vegetables, mushrooms, and spinach mixture. If you added chili peppers, the spicy kick will make it even more delicious. Enjoy this hearty and satisfying meal!
