Spicy Stir-Fried Anchovies: My Mom’s Classic Country-Style Side Dish
The Ultimate Spicy Anchovy Stir-Fry Recipe – A Crispy & Flavorful Korean Side Dish!
Missing the taste of home? Recreate the comforting flavors of a home-cooked meal with my mom’s signature spicy stir-fried anchovies. This dish is perfectly crispy, with a savory and spicy-sweet glaze that clings to every anchovy and pepper, making it an irresistible side for a bowl of rice. Simple, yet incredibly delicious – this is a beloved national side dish recipe for the whole family!
Main Ingredients- 150g small dried anchovies (cleaned)
- 10-15 Korean chili peppers (about 100g)
Seasoning Ingredients- 1/2 cup cooking oil (using a standard Korean paper cup)
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 3 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp oligosaccharide (or corn syrup)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup cooking oil (using a standard Korean paper cup)
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 3 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp oligosaccharide (or corn syrup)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the Korean chili peppers, remove the stems, and if they are thick, slice them in half lengthwise. Place the small dried anchovies in a large bowl and pick out any unwanted bits. For this recipe, using anchovies specifically meant for stir-frying will give you the best texture.
Step 2
Heat a pan over medium-low heat and add 1/2 cup of cooking oil. Add the prepared chili peppers and stir-fry for about 1 minute until they soften slightly and become glossy. Be careful not to overcook them until they become mushy.
Step 3
Temporarily remove the stir-fried chili peppers to a separate dish. In the same pan, add 3 tsp of soy sauce and 1 tsp of minced garlic over low heat. Stir-fry for about 10 seconds until fragrant, making sure the garlic doesn’t burn.
Step 4
Now, add the cleaned anchovies to the pan and stir-fry over low heat for 2-3 minutes until they become slightly crispy and any fishy smell dissipates. It’s important to maintain low heat while stir-frying the anchovies to prevent them from burning.
Step 5
Once the anchovies are somewhat cooked, return the stir-fried chili peppers to the pan and mix them together. Next, add 2 tsp of chili powder and stir well to ensure the color is evenly distributed. Stir-frying with chili powder for too long can make the dish taste bitter, so aim for about 1 minute.
