Spicy & Sweet Stir-Fried Octopus (Milkit Hack)
#OctopusRecipe #SpicyFood #EasyStirFry #MealKit #HomeCooking
Craving something spicy? This stir-fried octopus recipe is your perfect quick fix! I’ve enhanced a convenient pre-packaged ‘Yujeong Nakji’ meal kit by adding fresh octopus and my own custom spicy sauce blend. The kit comes with pre-cut octopus and two types of sauce. By mixing both and boosting the spice with extra gochugaru and gochujang, I created a flavor explosion that’s perfect for stress relief or a mood lift. Get ready for a dish that’s incredibly addictive and pairs wonderfully with rice!
Main Ingredients- Yujeong Nakji Meal Kit 540g (includes frozen cut octopus and sauce)
- Fresh Frozen Octopus 300g (additional)
- Coarse Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 5 Tbsp (adjust for spice level)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 Tbsp (for depth of flavor)
- Oligosaccharide Syrup (or corn syrup) 2 Tbsp (for gloss and sweetness)
- Granulated Sugar 1 Tbsp (for extra sweetness)
- Minced Garlic 3 Tbsp (for aromatic flavor)
- Minced Ginger 1 tsp (to remove any fishy smell)
- Chopped Green Onion 2 Tbsp (for fresh finish)
- Sesame Oil 1 tsp (for nutty aroma)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thaw the frozen octopus by soaking it in cold water. The octopus in the Yujeong Nakji meal kit is already conveniently cut. If you’re adding extra fresh frozen octopus, cut it into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm). Avoid cutting it too small to maintain a pleasant chewy texture.
Step 2
Now, let’s make the star of the dish: the spicy sauce! Take the spicy sauce and the other sauce provided in the meal kit. In a separate bowl, combine these with 5 Tbsp of coarse gochugaru, 2 Tbsp of gochujang, 2 Tbsp of oligosaccharide syrup, 1 Tbsp of sugar, 3 Tbsp of minced garlic, and 1 tsp of minced ginger. Mix everything thoroughly. Taste the sauce and adjust the amount of chili flakes or sugar to your preference for the perfect spicy kick.
Step 3
Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Add all the thawed octopus to the hot pan. Stir-fry it quickly without adding anything else. This initial stir-fry is crucial for evaporating the excess water released by the octopus. As mentioned in the meal kit instructions, frozen octopus can release a lot of moisture, so this step helps the sauce thicken nicely later. Don’t be alarmed if quite a bit of liquid comes out.
Step 4
Once the octopus has released some of its water and started to cook slightly, pour the prepared spicy sauce over it. Stir well to ensure the sauce coats every piece of octopus evenly.
Step 5
Be careful not to overcook the octopus, as it can become tough. As soon as the sauce comes to a rolling boil, add the chopped green onions and immediately turn off the heat. Finally, drizzle in 1 tsp of sesame oil and give it a final stir. Your delicious stir-fried octopus is ready! If you noticed a lot of liquid remained after stir-frying, don’t worry – I have a tip for you in the next step!
Step 6
Here it is! The Spicy Stir-Fried Octopus, made with the Yujeong Nakji meal kit, extra fresh octopus, and a custom sauce. If you were concerned about the amount of liquid, it’s actually a good thing! A bit of sauce makes it perfect for mixing with rice or enjoying alongside bean sprouts. The combination of chewy octopus, spicy sauce, and the flavorful broth is truly a delight that will melt away your stress. (If you prefer a thicker sauce next time, consider adding a little cornstarch slurry when making the sauce.)
