Spicy & Sweet Pork Belly Stir-fry (Samgyeopsal Duruchigi)
The Ultimate Korean Comfort Dish: Savory Samgyeopsal Duruchigi Everyone Loves
Introducing a recipe for the beloved Korean dish, Samgyeopsal Duruchigi! This spicy and sweet stir-fry featuring pork belly is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s perfect served over a steaming bowl of rice, making it an incredibly satisfying meal. Elevate your everyday dining or impress guests with this restaurant-quality dish made right in your own kitchen.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Duruchigi- 250g pork belly, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 large green onion (leek-style cut, slicing diagonally)
- 2 Korean chili peppers (optional, for extra heat)
- 1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract (or corn syrup/honey)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Wine (like Mirin, for deodorizing)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Pinches Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cut the pork belly into bite-sized pieces, approximately 2cm thick. If the pieces are too thin, they might lose their texture when cooked. If they’re too thick, the sauce might not penetrate evenly.
Step 2
Wash the green onion thoroughly. Then, slice it diagonally into about 1cm thick pieces, including both the white and green parts. This cutting method helps the green onion maintain its shape and prevents it from becoming too soft during cooking.
Step 3
Remove the stems from the Korean chili peppers, wash them, and slice them thinly diagonally. If you prefer a spicier dish, leave the seeds in. For a milder flavor, remove the seeds before slicing.
Step 4
Peel the onion, wash it, and then thinly slice it into long strips (julienne). Sliced onions add a natural sweetness and enrich the overall flavor of the sauce as they cook down.
Step 5
In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp Gochujang, 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru, 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce, 1 Tbsp Plum Extract, 1 Tbsp Sugar, 1 Tbsp Cooking Wine, 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic, and 2 Pinches Black Pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined and smooth, creating your delicious seasoning base. You can substitute plum extract with corn syrup or honey if preferred.
Step 6
Now, let’s start stir-frying! Heat a deep pan over high heat without adding any oil. Add the cut pork belly and sear it until it’s golden brown on all sides. Cooking over high heat initially helps render some of the fat, resulting in a richer, more savory flavor.
Step 7
Once the pork belly is partially cooked, add all of the prepared seasoning mixture. Reduce the heat to medium and stir-fry, ensuring the sauce evenly coats the pork. Keep stirring to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until the sauce is fragrant and well-incorporated.
Step 8
Finally, add the sliced green onion, onion, and Korean chili peppers to the pan. Increase the heat back to high and stir-fry quickly for just 1-2 minutes, until the vegetables are slightly tender but still retain some crispness. Overcooking will make them mushy. Serve this glistening, flavorful Samgyeopsal Duruchigi immediately with a hot bowl of rice. Enjoy!
