Spicy and Sweet Soybean Sprout Pork Stir-fry (Kongbul)
A Must-Try Kongbul Recipe Using Pork Neck! Budget-Friendly and Delicious
Enjoy a hearty and flavorful Kongbul (spicy stir-fried pork with soybean sprouts) using pork neck. It offers a different, delightful charm compared to thinly sliced pork belly.
Main Ingredients- Pork neck (Mok-jeon-ji) 600g (1 ‘geun’)
- Soybean sprouts 1 bag (approx. 300g)
- Onion 1/2
- Green chili pepper 1
- Red chili pepper 1/2
- Green onion 1 stalk
Seasoning Sauce- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili powder) 2 Tbsp
- Fish sauce (Tuna extract or anchovy sauce) 2 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide syrup (or sugar) 4 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Perilla oil 1 Tbsp
- Black pepper, a pinch
- MSG (optional, for enhanced umami) 1 tsp
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp (for finishing)
- Toasted sesame seeds 1 tsp (for finishing)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili powder) 2 Tbsp
- Fish sauce (Tuna extract or anchovy sauce) 2 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide syrup (or sugar) 4 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Perilla oil 1 Tbsp
- Black pepper, a pinch
- MSG (optional, for enhanced umami) 1 tsp
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp (for finishing)
- Toasted sesame seeds 1 tsp (for finishing)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Cut the pork neck into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, combine the pork neck with 1 Tbsp gochujang, 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp fish sauce, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 4 Tbsp oligosaccharide syrup, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp perilla oil, a pinch of black pepper, and 1 tsp MSG (if using). Mix well until the seasoning evenly coats the meat. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes. Marinating in advance allows the flavors to penetrate the meat, making it more delicious.
Step 2
Rinse the soybean sprouts thoroughly under running water and drain well. To maintain their crisp texture, avoid rinsing them for too long.
Step 3
Slice the onion into thin strips. Cut the green onion diagonally. Slice the green and red chili peppers diagonally, removing the seeds if you prefer less heat. These will add spiciness and vibrant color.
Step 4
Heat a large pan or wok over high heat. Add the marinated pork and stir-fry until the surface is cooked. Break up the meat as it cooks to prevent it from clumping together.
Step 5
Once the pork is partially cooked, add the sliced onions and green onions. Stir-fry together until the vegetables are slightly softened.
Step 6
Finally, add the rinsed soybean sprouts and the sliced chili peppers to the pan. Don’t worry if it looks like too much; the sprouts will shrink considerably as they cook.
Step 7
After adding all the ingredients, avoid stirring immediately. Cover the pan with a lid and let it steam-cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes. This steaming process allows the sprouts to release moisture, creating a flavorful sauce with the pork.
Step 8
After about 5 minutes of steaming, the soybean sprouts should be perfectly crisp-tender, and all the ingredients should be well combined. Open the lid and check if the pork and vegetables are fully cooked.
Step 9
Once everything is cooked, mix gently. Taste the dish and add a pinch of salt if needed. Be cautious when adding more soy sauce or fish sauce, as it can easily become too salty. Add salt gradually and adjust to your preference.
Step 10
Turn off the heat. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp sesame oil and sprinkle with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds. This final touch adds a wonderful nutty aroma and completes your delicious Kongbul!
