Spicy & Sweet Grilled Conger Eel (Anago)
Enjoy a Special Bar Snack at Home! Easy Spicy and Sweet Grilled Conger Eel Recipe
My husband surprisingly brought home some prepared conger eel! 🙂 Feeling inspired, I decided to make a delicious snack to go with drinks. Since it was already cleaned, I simply tossed it in a sauce and grilled it, and it turned out absolutely delicious! Here’s a recipe for spicy and sweet grilled conger eel that’s so easy to make at home! It’s perfect as a hearty side dish for dinner or even for a special occasion. It also pairs wonderfully with a cold beer!
Main Ingredients
- 5 cleaned conger eels (Anago)
- 1 large leek
Optional Ingredients (For Extra Flavor!)
- 7-10 whole garlic cloves
- 2 Cheongyang peppers (for extra spiciness, optional)
- 1 handful of Korean parsley (Minari, optional)
Special Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Plum extract
- 0.5 Tbsp minced ginger
- A pinch of black pepper
Measurement
- Standard Korean soup spoon measurement
- 7-10 whole garlic cloves
- 2 Cheongyang peppers (for extra spiciness, optional)
- 1 handful of Korean parsley (Minari, optional)
Special Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Plum extract
- 0.5 Tbsp minced ginger
- A pinch of black pepper
Measurement
- Standard Korean soup spoon measurement
- Standard Korean soup spoon measurement
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Today, I’m sharing a recipe for a spicy and sweet grilled conger eel (Anago)! It’s perfect as a bar snack or a hearty side dish. 🙂 ♬♪
Step 2
· Rinse the conger eel 2-3 times under running water. It’s important to wash it thoroughly to remove any remaining blood, as it can contain toxins and cause a fishy odor.
Step 3
· Cut the cleaned conger eel into bite-sized pieces (about 5-7 cm). If the pieces are too large, the sauce won’t penetrate well; if they are too small, they might fall apart when cooked.
Step 4
· Let’s prepare the vegetables. Cut the leek into large pieces to add flavor. You can use whole garlic cloves or slice them thinly. We’ll stir-fry them with the conger eel. If you like it spicy, thinly slice the Cheongyang peppers and add them!
Step 5
· Now, let’s make the delicious sauce! Place the conger eel in a large bowl, add all the sauce ingredients, and mix gently with your hands until the eel is evenly coated. Marinating for about 10 minutes will help the eel absorb the flavors.
Step 6
※ Delicious Special Sauce Recipe: 2 Tbsp Gochujang, 1 Tbsp Gochugaru, 1 Tbsp Mirin, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp Soy sauce, 0.5 Tbsp Sugar, 1 Tbsp Plum extract, 0.5 Tbsp minced ginger, a pinch of black pepper. (All measurements are using a standard Korean soup spoon.)
Step 7
· Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium heat. Add the marinated conger eel and whole garlic cloves, and stir-fry. The garlic will become fragrant as the eel starts to cook.
Step 8
· Once the surface of the conger eel turns white and is partially cooked, add the sliced leeks and continue to stir-fry. The sweetness of the leeks will add another layer of flavor.
Step 9
· The dish is ready when the sauce has thickened, the conger eel has a glossy appearance, and it’s cooked through and firm. Cooking time may vary depending on the heat, so ensure the conger eel is fully cooked.
Step 10
· (Optional) For an extra touch of freshness and flavor, add the Korean parsley (Minari) at the end. Cut the washed Minari into bite-sized pieces and arrange them on the bottom of the serving plate before placing the grilled conger eel on top. It looks beautiful and tastes great!
Step 11
You’ve made the perfect ‘Spicy & Sweet Grilled Conger Eel’! The combination of the savory, tender conger eel and the spicy-sweet sauce is truly fantastic. Everyone will love this flavor, so give it a try! 😀
