Steamed Angled Luffa Gourd (Gwairi Gochu Jim)
Crispy and Delicious Angled Luffa Gourd Steamed Dish
Gwairi Gochu Jim is a beloved side dish that’s best enjoyed when you select mild, non-spicy peppers. If the peppers are too spicy, you won’t appreciate the subtle flavors and might just find yourself eating a lot of rice! Because of this, I don’t make it as often as I’d like. However, I recently found some tender, mild-looking angled luffa gourds at the supermarket and decided it was time to make this dish again. While there might be occasional spicy ones, these were generally mild, making for a truly delightful meal.
Main Ingredients- 2 handfuls of Angled Luffa Gourd (Gwairi Gochu, approx. 200-250g)
- 2 Tbsp All-purpose Flour
Seasoning Sauce- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1/3 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/3 Tbsp Red Pepper Flakes (Gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (Corn Syrup)
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Sesame Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1/3 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/3 Tbsp Red Pepper Flakes (Gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (Corn Syrup)
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the angled luffa gourds thoroughly and pat them dry. Remove the stems, and then use a toothpick to poke holes in several places, about 3-4 times per gourd. This helps the seasoning penetrate the peppers for better flavor. Place the prepared gourds in a bowl and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Gently shake or toss the bowl to evenly coat the gourds with a light layer of flour. Steam the flour-coated gourds for about 3 minutes in a preheated steamer. Steaming them briefly is key to maintaining their crisp texture; overcooking will make them mushy. Traditionally, some recipes use bean powder for a nutty flavor, but since I didn’t have any on hand, I substituted it with all-purpose flour, which still results in a wonderfully mild and tasty dish.
Step 2
In a small bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients: 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1/3 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1/3 tablespoon of gochugaru (red pepper flakes), 1 tablespoon of oligodang, and 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil. Mix them well to create a delicious seasoning sauce. After steaming, let the gourds cool down slightly before mixing them with the sauce. This prevents them from breaking apart and helps the sauce adhere better.
Step 3
Once the steamed gourds have cooled a bit, add the prepared seasoning sauce. Gently toss everything together with your hands or a spoon, ensuring the sauce is evenly distributed. Finally, sprinkle with a pinch of sesame seeds. Your crispy, savory, and slightly sweet Gwairi Gochu Jim is ready to be enjoyed! It makes a fantastic side dish to accompany any meal, especially with a bowl of warm rice.
