Spicy and Flavorful Braised Beltfish (Galchi Jorim) – A Perfect Home-Cooked Meal
The Secret to Delicious Beltfish Jorim Sauce, How to Make Beltfish Jorim Without Fail #GalchiJorim #HomeCooking #FishStew
Let’s make a truly delicious beltfish jorim at home that rivals restaurant quality! It’s spicy and savory with a deep, rich flavor that will have you reaching for more rice. While there are no extraordinary secrets, with a little care, anyone can succeed. Elevate your dinner table tonight with this wonderful main dish!
Main Ingredients- 1 Beltfish (cleaned)
- 8 slices of Radish, about 1cm thick
- 2 Korean Green Chilies (Cheongyang Pepper)
- 1 stalk of Scallion
- 1.5 cups (300ml) Water
Galchi Jorim Sauce- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1/3 Tbsp Doenjang (fermented soybean paste) (approx. 5g)
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1/3 Tbsp Doenjang (fermented soybean paste) (approx. 5g)
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
If using frozen beltfish, thaw it thoroughly under cold running water before cooking. After thawing, lightly pat the fish dry with paper towels to help reduce any fishy odor.
Step 2
Prepare the vegetables for the stew. Slice the Korean green chilies diagonally and chop the scallion into large pieces. Cut the radish into about 8 slices, each 1cm thick.
Step 3
Line the bottom of a ttukbaegi (earthenware pot) with the prepared radish slices. The radish will sweeten as it cooks, make the broth refreshing, and also prevent the fish from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step 4
Arrange the thawed and dried beltfish pieces attractively on top of the radish. You can cut the fish into 2-3 pieces depending on its size.
Step 5
Before making the sauce, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of gochugaru over the beltfish. This step helps the fish absorb color beautifully and adds a nice spicy kick before adding the main sauce ingredients.
Step 6
Pour 1.5 cups (300ml) of water into the pot. You can adjust the amount of water depending on the quantity of ingredients and the size of your pot. Be careful not to use too little, as it might burn.
Step 7
Cover the pot with a lid and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes with the lid on. During this time, the radish will soften slightly and the fish will start to absorb the initial flavors.
Step 8
After 10 minutes, remove the lid and continue to simmer over medium heat for about 15 more minutes. The broth will reduce as the fish cooks. Be gentle to avoid breaking the fish pieces.
Step 9
Now, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of gochugaru. Mixing this with the existing flavors will make the galchi jorim’s color even more appealing and enhance the spicy taste. Dividing the gochugaru like this helps achieve both beautiful color and great flavor.
Step 10
Add 1 tablespoon of gochujang. Gochujang is essential for adding spiciness and a savory depth.
Step 11
Add 3 tablespoons of soy sauce to season the dish. Soy sauce provides the basic saltiness and umami.
Step 12
Add 1 tablespoon of sugar to balance the flavors. A touch of sweetness will soften the spiciness and saltiness, creating a more harmonious taste.
Step 13
Add 1/3 tablespoon (approx. 5g) of doenjang. Doenjang adds a savory and deep flavor to the beltfish jorim. Be careful not to add too much, as it can overpower the dish.
Step 14
Add a generous 2 tablespoons of minced garlic. Garlic is crucial for eliminating any fishy smell and enhancing the overall flavor.
Step 15
Finally, add the prepared scallions to the pot. The fresh, mild sweetness of the scallions will infuse into the broth, making it even more delicious.
Step 16
Finish with a pinch of black pepper. If you find the taste is too bland, you can add a little more soy sauce or Korean soup soy sauce at this point. Once the scallions are tender and the stew is bubbling vigorously, your delicious beltfish jorim is complete! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
