Spicy and Savory Stir-fried Aged Kimchi with Pork: The Ultimate Rice Companion!
Stir-fried Aged Kimchi with Pork
Aged kimchi, known as ‘Mugeunji’, is incredibly versatile and can be transformed into countless delicious dishes. This stir-fried aged kimchi with pork is a particularly wonderful recipe that not only stands as a fantastic side dish but also serves as a base for fried rice or can be enjoyed with boiled tofu. Its rich, fermented flavor combined with savory pork makes it a crowd-pleaser. Get ready to create a dish that’s guaranteed to become a family favorite!
Main Ingredients
- Pork (belly or shoulder cut recommended) 200g
- Well-fermented Aged Kimchi (Mugeunji) 1/4 head (approx. 400g)
- Cooking oil 1 Tbsp
- Red pepper flakes (Gochugaru) 1 Tbsp
- Ground black pepper a pinch (approx. 1 tsp)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the pork. Cut the pork into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm. Cutting it too small might cause it to become dry and tough as it cooks, so aim for a moderate size.
Step 2
Get your cooking pan ready. It’s best to preheat the pan over medium heat. A sufficiently heated pan will prevent the meat from sticking and ensure it fries beautifully.
Step 3
Add the cut pork to the preheated pan and sprinkle with black pepper. Do not add cooking oil at this stage. The pork will render its own fat. This initial step is about searing the pork to lock in its juices. Stir-fry over medium heat until the pork is golden brown.
Step 4
Next, chop the aged kimchi. It’s best to cut it into manageable pieces, about 2-3 cm long, or thinly shred it. Try not to discard too much of the kimchi brine, as it adds flavor.
Step 5
Once the pork is partially cooked, add the chopped aged kimchi to the pan and stir-fry them together. It’s important to mix well to prevent the kimchi from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Step 6
Now it’s time to add the red pepper flakes (Gochugaru) for that signature spicy kick. This will balance the sourness of the kimchi and the richness of the pork, while also adding a vibrant color. Stir the gochugaru in, ensuring it’s well combined with the kimchi and pork.
Step 7
Finally, stir-fry everything together until the flavors meld and the sauce coats the ingredients evenly. At this point, add 1 Tbsp of cooking oil to prevent the kimchi from sticking or becoming too dry during the stir-frying process. Continue to stir-fry over medium heat for about 5 minutes, allowing the kimchi to soften and the flavors to fully infuse. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed; a tiny splash of kimchi juice can be added if it’s not salty enough, or turn off the heat once the flavor is balanced.
Step 8
Voila! Your delicious stir-fried aged kimchi with pork is ready. Serve it steaming hot over a bowl of rice, or enjoy it wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves. Any leftovers can be cooled and stored in the refrigerator for delicious fried rice or kimchi stew the next day.
