Spicy and Sweet Grilled Octopus Skewers (Nakji Horonggui)
Dinner Recommendation: Homemade Grilled Octopus Skewers & Octopus Preparation Guide
Wondering what to make for dinner tonight? How about ‘Nakji Horonggui’ (Grilled Octopus Skewers) using two fresh octopuses that will have your whole family raving! The chewy texture of the octopus, glazed with a savory and sweet sauce and grilled to perfection, makes for an incredibly satisfying bite. Let’s start with a delicious octopus dish – I’ll guide you through how to easily and thoroughly prepare fresh octopus!
Main Ingredients- 2 medium-sized octopuses
- Flour (for cleaning the octopus)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the fresh octopus. If you’re not used to handling live octopus, it’s easier with a partner’s help. Cut off the head from the body, and then carefully remove the internal organs from inside the head. If you’re new to this, follow these steps closely.
Step 2
Remove the eyes from the octopus using a knife. Place the octopus in a bowl, add a generous amount of flour, and rub it vigorously with your hands to remove the slimy mucus and any impurities. Then, rinse thoroughly under cold running water. This process ensures a clean and firm octopus with no fishy smell.
Step 3
Cut the cleaned octopus into bite-sized pieces. Slice each octopus vertically into about 3 equal parts. It’s important to cut them to a length that allows you to wrap them around skewers or chopsticks. If they’re too long, they’ll be hard to grill, and if they’re too short, they won’t look as appealing.
Step 4
Following the above steps, you’ll prepare about 6 skewers of octopus. Now, we’re ready to make the delicious marinade!
Step 5
Let’s make the tasty marinade for the grilled octopus skewers! In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp Gochugaru, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, 1 Tbsp sweet plum syrup, 1 Tbsp fragrant sesame oil, 1 Tbsp oligodang (or starch syrup) for sweetness, 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1 Tbsp finely minced green onion. Mix everything well to create the marinade. You can adjust the seasoning to your preference.
Step 6
Heat a pan over medium heat and add 2 Tbsp of flavorful perilla oil. Place the prepared octopus on the hot pan. Grill for a few minutes on each side until lightly browned. Even without the marinade yet, the aroma will be mouthwatering, making you eager to start. It would be delicious even with just this light grilling.
Step 7
Once the octopus is partially cooked, generously brush the prepared marinade onto the octopus while grilling. Keep an eye on the heat to prevent the sauce from burning, flipping the skewers to ensure they are evenly coated and glazed. The combination of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors will create a rich and satisfying dinner spread for the whole family. Enjoy your meal!
