Spicy and Sweet Octopus Bibimbap with Gochujang
Summer Health Food! Recipe for Spicy and Sweet Octopus Gochujang Bibimbap
Introducing the ultimate bibimbap, made with fresh octopus, perfect for boosting your energy in the summer, featuring our homemade spicy and sweet octopus gochujang sauce and a variety of fresh vegetable toppings! Enjoy a special meal that will stimulate your appetite and help you forget the summer heat.
Main Ingredients- 2 fresh octopuses
- 1 crisp cucumber
- 1 tender eggplant
- 1/2 sweet zucchini
- Fresh lettuce, as needed
- Homemade octopus gochujang sauce (amount to your preference)
Octopus Gochujang Sauce- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp minced onion
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp ginger wine (or cooking wine)
- 5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of black pepper
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp minced onion
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp ginger wine (or cooking wine)
- 5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all the ingredients fresh for a delicious octopus gochujang bibimbap!
Step 2
In a bowl, combine gochugaru, minced garlic, minced onion, oyster sauce, ginger wine, gochujang, honey, corn syrup, sesame oil, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated to create a flavorful octopus gochujang sauce. Set aside; the flavor will deepen as it rests.
Step 3
Properly cleaning the fresh octopus is crucial to remove any fishy smell! Start by removing the innards from the head, as well as the eyes and beak. Next, add a generous amount of salt and flour to the octopus. Massage and rub it vigorously, as if you’re washing a cloth, for several minutes. This process helps remove slime and impurities, making the octopus much cleaner. Rinse thoroughly under running water multiple times until all traces of mud and fishy odors are gone. You’ll be surprised how white and clean the octopus becomes!
Step 4
Cut the cleaned octopus into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm in length. In a small bowl, combine the cut octopus with 1 Tbsp of ginger wine and 1 Tbsp of plum extract (or rice wine vinegar). Gently mix and let it marinate for a short while. This step helps to eliminate any lingering odors and tenderizes the octopus.
Step 5
Wash the cucumber thoroughly. Cut it in half lengthwise, then use a spoon to scoop out and discard the seeds. Slice the cucumber halves into quarters, and then thinly slice each quarter.
Step 6
Place the sliced cucumber in a bowl and sprinkle with 1 Tbsp of salt. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Squeeze the water out of the cucumber with your hands. Then, pat dry with paper towels to remove any remaining moisture.
Step 7
To the dried cucumber, add sesame seeds, a pinch of pepper, and 1 tsp of sesame oil. Gently toss to combine. Your crunchy and delicious cucumber topping is now ready!
Step 8
Wash the fresh lettuce leaves and pat them dry. Shred them into thin strips for easy eating.
Step 9
Cut the zucchini into quarters, remove the seeds, and slice it into approximately 0.5 cm thick pieces. Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the zucchini and stir-fry until tender. Once the zucchini is cooked through, season with a pinch of pepper, 1 tsp of sesame seeds, a little minced garlic, and 1 tsp of sesame oil. Toss everything together to coat. Stir-frying brings out the natural sweetness of the zucchini!
Step 10
Prepare the eggplant similarly to the zucchini (remove seeds and slice to about 0.5 cm thickness). Heat a little oil in a pan and stir-fry the eggplant over medium heat until tender. Once cooked, season with pepper, sesame oil, minced garlic, and sesame seeds, then toss to combine. Your delicious eggplant topping is also ready!
Step 11
Now it’s time to cook the star ingredient: the octopus. Heat a little cooking oil in a pan over high heat. Add the marinated octopus (with ginger wine and plum extract) and stir-fry quickly until it changes color and is cooked through. Once the octopus is cooked, pour in the prepared spicy and sweet octopus gochujang sauce. Stir gently to combine the octopus and sauce, and cook for another minute. Be careful not to burn the sauce.
Step 12
And now, it’s complete! Prepare your freshly stir-fried spicy and sweet octopus, the generous vegetable toppings, and a bowl of hot rice. Place the rice in a bowl, top it generously with the octopus and vegetables according to your preference. If you have extra gochujang sauce, add a little more. Mix everything together and enjoy! This is the perfect summer health food and a delightful dish for when you lack appetite. Enjoy your Octopus Gochujang Bibimbap!
