Spicy and Sweet Grilled Eel with Gochujang Sauce
Perfect for a Summer Boost! Spicy and Sweet Grilled Eel with Gochujang Sauce Recipe
Beat the summer heat with this nourishing dish! Introducing our Grilled Eel with Gochujang Sauce, a recipe that’s incredibly delicious and free from any fishy smell, making it a hit for everyone. Experience the fantastic harmony of chewy eel and a sweet and spicy special gochujang marinade!
Main Ingredients- 3 prepared eels
- 1 knob of fresh ginger (minced)
Spicy and Sweet Gochujang Marinade- 4 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1.5 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Ginger Powder
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine)
- A pinch of Black Pepper
Eel Deodorizing Ingredients- 2 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine)
- 1 tsp Ginger Powder
- Appropriate amount of Black Pepper
- 4 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1.5 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Ginger Powder
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine)
- A pinch of Black Pepper
Eel Deodorizing Ingredients- 2 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine)
- 1 tsp Ginger Powder
- Appropriate amount of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the special gochujang marinade for our delicious grilled eel. In a wide bowl, combine 4 tablespoons of gochujang, 1 tablespoon of gochugaru, 1.5 tablespoons of sugar. We’ll also add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, which is a common and crucial ingredient for gochujang marinades to enhance flavor. (Note: Minced garlic was not explicitly listed in the original ingredients for all languages, but is a standard addition for this type of Korean dish for optimal taste. If you prefer to omit garlic, simply skip this ingredient.)
Step 2
Add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of mirin, and mix well. Finally, stir in 1 teaspoon of ginger powder, 1 tablespoon of corn syrup, and a pinch of black pepper until everything is thoroughly combined. This creates a simple yet flavorful spicy and sweet gochujang marinade. This sauce is versatile and works wonderfully not just for eel, but also for other meat dishes.
Step 3
Now, it’s time to carefully prepare our star ingredient, the eel. This step is crucial for removing any unwanted fishy smell, so please follow along closely.
Step 4
Lay the prepared eel flat on a cutting board, with the skin side facing up. Pour vigorously boiling hot water over the eel’s skin several times. You’ll notice a thin, white film forming on the surface of the skin. This process helps to remove impurities and makes it easier to scrape off the skin layer.
Step 5
Using a sharp knife, gently scrape off the thin white film that has risen on the skin. Then, flip the eel over and pour hot water over the flesh side a couple of times. Quickly rinse the eel under cold water to clean it thoroughly. Pat the eel dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. ++ Pro Tip: If you find this process a bit tricky, you can also briefly blanch the eel in boiling water for about 10 seconds before proceeding with the scraping and cleaning. ++
Step 6
We’ll now use our prepared ingredients to effectively eliminate any fishy odor from the eel. In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of mirin, 1 teaspoon of ginger powder, and a suitable amount of black pepper. Evenly coat both sides of the prepared eel with this mixture and let it marinate for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate.
Step 7
Preheat a frying pan over medium heat and add just a little bit of cooking oil. Place the marinated eel in the pan and sear both sides until golden brown. Once the surfaces are partially cooked, generously brush both sides of the eel with the prepared spicy and sweet gochujang marinade. Reduce the heat to low to prevent the sauce from burning. Cook gently until the eel is fully cooked through and the sauce has thickened beautifully, coating the eel nicely.
Step 8
As the eel cooks, a delicious aroma will fill your kitchen, and it will develop a beautiful glossy sheen. It’s cooking up wonderfully! If the sauce seems like it’s getting too dark or might burn, you can further reduce the heat or add a tiny splash of water.
Step 9
We’ve achieved a perfectly cooked eel with a beautiful color and glossy finish, without burning the sauce. The spicy and sweet scent is truly appetizing! Doesn’t it look perfectly grilled?
Step 10
Serve the warm rice spread evenly in a bowl. Then, artfully place the deliciously grilled eel with gochujang sauce on top. This completes your nourishing Eel Gochujang Grill, a perfect dish to power you through the summer heat! Doesn’t it look impressive?
Step 11
Usually, I would only cook eel with teriyaki sauce because my son can’t handle spicy food. However, making it with this spicy and sweet gochujang marinade after so long is absolutely fantastic, even for adults! (Of course, I prepared a separate teriyaki-style eel for my son. 😊) With plenty of eel left in the freezer, I think we can enjoy this delicious grilled eel all summer long to beat the heat! I highly recommend you try making it too!
