Spicy-Sweet Grilled Belt Fish with Gochujang Sauce
A Delicious Side Dish! Spicy-Sweet Grilled Belt Fish with Gochujang Sauce That Will Rekindle Your Appetite
I recently found some fresh belt fish on sale at E-Mart and decided to keep it in the freezer. Today, I decided to make it special by coating it in a spicy and sweet gochujang sauce and grilling it. It has a different charm from the salty grilled version and will become a rice thief for the whole family. The recipe is simple, so be sure to try it at home!
Main Ingredients- 4 pieces of prepared belt fish (approx. 500g)
- 2 cups beer (for removing fishy smell)
- 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour (for coating)
- Vegetable oil (for pan-frying)
Spicy-Sweet Gochujang Sauce- 4 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped green onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 0.5 tsp ginger wine (or cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (Mirin)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of black pepper (to taste)
- 4 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped green onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 0.5 tsp ginger wine (or cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (Mirin)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of black pepper (to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the frozen belt fish (I used a pre-seasoned and prepared product) lightly under running water. Then, pour 2 cups of beer over it and let it soak for about 40 minutes to remove any fishy odor. The beer helps to eliminate the fishy smell and tenderize the fish.
Step 2
Once the fish is thawed, pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels to remove excess beer. It’s important to remove as much moisture as possible to prevent it from becoming soggy when fried. Next, lightly coat both sides of the fish with all-purpose flour. The flour coating helps the sauce adhere well and prevents the fish from breaking apart.
Step 3
Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Place the floured belt fish in the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crisp on both sides. Frying until the exterior is slightly crispy will help it hold its shape when the sauce is applied.
Step 4
While the fish is frying, prepare the delicious gochujang sauce. In a bowl, combine 4 Tbsp gochujang, 1.5 Tbsp sugar, 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp finely chopped green onion, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 0.5 tsp ginger wine, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
Step 5
Once the belt fish is golden brown in the pan, brush the prepared gochujang sauce evenly over both sides of the fish. After applying the sauce, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook, being careful not to burn the sauce. Stir gently to prevent burning and allow the sauce to thicken and coat the fish beautifully.
Step 6
When the sauce has thickened nicely and the fish is fully cooked, arrange the mouth-watering grilled belt fish on a serving plate. Garnish with fresh green onions or sesame seeds for an extra touch of appeal. Enjoy this dish with a bowl of hot steamed rice for a truly satisfying meal!
