Spicy & Sweet Squid Over Rice (Ojingeo Deopbap) – Baek Jong Won’s Recipe
Master the Flavorful Squid Stir-fry for a Delicious Rice Bowl
Enjoy a delightful meal with this Ojingeo Deopbap, featuring a savory and slightly sweet squid stir-fry served generously over rice. This recipe, inspired by Chef Baek Jong Won, uses a simple yet incredibly flavorful sauce that makes it easy for anyone to achieve delicious results. The tender squid, crisp vegetables, and perfectly balanced sauce create a harmonious dish that’s perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner. It’s especially wonderful when mixed with the rice!
Main Ingredients- 1 whole fresh squid, cleaned
- 1/2 onion
- 1/4 carrot
- 1/4 small cabbage
- 3 Korean green chili peppers (Cheongyang peppers)
- 1.5 stalks of green onion (mostly white parts)
- Vegetable oil, as needed
- Steamed rice
- Fried egg (optional, to taste)
Baek Jong Won’s Special Sauce- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce (Guk-ganjang or Jin-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce (Guk-ganjang or Jin-ganjang)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the vegetables. Peel the onion and carrot, then slice them into 0.5cm thick strips. Remove the stems from the Korean green chili peppers and finely chop them for a spicy kick. Cut the cabbage into bite-sized pieces to retain its crispness.
Step 2
Trim the root ends of the green onions and slice them diagonally into about 0.5cm thick pieces, focusing on the white parts. Slicing them this way helps to release their fragrant aroma, enhancing the dish’s flavor.
Step 3
Clean the squid thoroughly and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Score the flesh side of the squid in a diamond pattern (like a checkerboard). This helps the sauce to penetrate better, making the squid more flavorful as it cooks!
Step 4
Now, let’s make Chef Baek Jong Won’s special sauce! In a mixing bowl, add 1 tablespoon of generously minced garlic.
Step 5
Add 1 tablespoon of Gochujang (Korean chili paste) for a rich and savory depth of flavor.
Step 6
Next, add 1.5 tablespoons of Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) for a vibrant color and a pleasant spiciness. Feel free to add more if you prefer it spicier.
Step 7
Pour in 2 tablespoons of soy sauce to enhance the umami notes of the dish.
Step 8
Whisk all the sauce ingredients together thoroughly with chopsticks or a spoon until well combined. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning by adding more sugar or soy sauce if needed, to perfectly match your palate.
Step 9
Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add about two swirls of vegetable oil. Ensure there’s enough oil to prevent the ingredients from sticking and to help them cook evenly.
Step 10
Add the sliced green onions to the hot pan and stir-fry them over medium-low heat until they become fragrant. Once you can smell the leeks, add the prepared squid and stir-fry quickly.
Step 11
As the squid begins to cook and change color, add 1 tablespoon of sugar and continue to stir-fry. The sugar will caramelize slightly, enhancing the squid’s natural sweetness and adding a lovely glaze.
Step 12
Cook until most of the liquid released from the squid has evaporated. Then, add all the prepared sauce mixture and stir-fry well to coat the squid evenly.
Step 13
Now, add the sliced carrots and onions to the pan and stir-fry them with the squid and sauce. The carrots will soften slightly and add sweetness, while the onions will become translucent, releasing their natural sugars.
Step 14
Once the onions turn translucent and sweet, add the roughly chopped cabbage. Stir everything together. It’s best not to overcook the cabbage at this stage to maintain its delightful crunch.
Step 15
When the cabbage starts to wilt slightly, add the remaining sliced green onions and the chopped Korean green chili peppers. Stir-fry for just another 30 seconds, allowing the flavors to meld together without overcooking the vegetables.
Step 16
Serve the delicious squid stir-fry generously over a bowl of warm steamed rice. For an extra touch of indulgence, top it with a perfectly fried egg. Break the yolk and mix everything together – it’s an incredibly satisfying and delicious way to enjoy your Ojingeo Deopbap!
