Spicy & Sweet Red Fish Cakes (Ppochacha Style)
Bring the Street Food Vibe Home! Easy & Delicious Red Fish Cakes Recipe
On a chilly, snowy day, what’s better than a warm bowl of ‘Red Fish Cakes’ (Ppochacha Style)? This recipe brings the nostalgic flavors of Korean street food right into your kitchen. These red fish cakes, with their perfect balance of spicy and sweet, are a comfort food that evokes memories of bustling market stalls. Let’s get together and simmer this delicious treat to perfection!
Ingredients
- 1 Anchovy-Kelp Stock Pack
- 1 bag Assorted Fish Cakes
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes)
- 1 Tsp Minced Garlic
- 500ml Water
- A little Green Onion
- Wooden Skewers
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s gather all the ingredients needed to make these delightful red fish cakes!
Step 2
The essential ingredient for red fish cakes is, of course, fish cakes! I picked up this assorted bag from the supermarket; they were quite affordable. The variety of shapes makes them extra fun to cook with.
Step 3
Opening the bag, I found four different, charming shapes of fish cakes! It even came with a ‘magic’ stock packet for the broth – what a thoughtful touch! The different shapes are so cute.
Step 4
Since we’re making fish cake skewers, I’ve cut the assorted fish cakes into pieces of shapes I like and threaded them onto the wooden skewers. They look adorable! With the fish cakes prepared, we’re ready to move on to the broth.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the savory and spicy broth that gives the red fish cakes their signature flavor. Place a pot on your stovetop or induction burner and add 500ml of water.
Step 6
Add the anchovy-kelp stock pack to the water and bring it to a rolling boil. We want to get that rich base flavor going!
Step 7
Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 5 minutes with the stock pack still inside, allowing the flavors to fully infuse.
Step 8
Remove the stock pack, which has now done its job. Keeping the heat on medium, add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce to the broth. This will add a wonderful depth of flavor.
Step 9
Next, stir in 1 teaspoon of minced garlic and let it simmer. The subtle pungency of garlic will enhance the overall taste.
Step 10
Following that, add 1 tablespoon of gochujang (Korean chili paste). Stir well to ensure it dissolves smoothly without clumps.
Step 11
For that characteristic spicy kick, we need gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)! Add 2 tablespoons. Feel free to adjust the amount based on your preferred level of heat.
Step 12
Finally, to balance the spiciness with a hint of sweetness, add 1 tablespoon of sugar. This creates a lovely, subtle sweetness. If you prefer a purely spicy flavor, you can omit the sugar.
Step 13
Once all the seasoning ingredients are in and the broth is well combined, carefully add all the prepared fish cake skewers to the pot. Be mindful not to submerge the wooden skewers completely in the broth.
Step 14
To ensure the fish cakes absorb the delicious red sauce, use a ladle to scoop the broth and pour it over the fish cakes repeatedly for about 10 minutes. This ‘basting’ process allows the flavors to penetrate deeply into the fish cakes.
Step 15
Listen to that delightful simmer! The spicy and savory aroma of the red fish cakes is absolutely intoxicating. I can’t wait to taste them! Once the fish cakes have absorbed the rich broth, carefully remove them from the pot.
Step 16
Voila! Your delicious red fish cakes are ready. For a final touch, sprinkle some freshly chopped green onions over the top. The vibrant green against the rich red makes for a truly appetizing presentation.
Step 17
Here’s a close-up shot of the finished red fish cakes! The generous amount of chili flakes gives the broth a beautiful, appetizing red hue. It looks so inviting!
Step 18
While they look spicy, the first bite confirms a wonderfully bold, spicy flavor with a satisfying chewiness. The fish cakes are perfectly tender yet have a great bite. Everyone will love these!
Step 19
There’s a simple joy in picking up each skewer and savoring a piece of red fish cake! The seasoning is spot-on – perfectly spicy, with just the right touch of sweetness from the sugar, tasting exactly like the ones from a street vendor. It’s truly amazing! On a snowy day like today, instead of braving the cold, making these red fish cakes at home brings so much happiness. Highly recommended!
