Tender and Chewy Boiled Octopus: The Secret to Perfectly Enjoying Premium Seafood at Home
From Preparing Fresh Octopus to Delicious Boiled Octopus and Tangy Octopus Salad – Your Complete One-Stop Seafood Recipe!
Here are two exquisite octopus dishes made with a giant fresh octopus purchased from Noryangjin Fish Market. You can also use smaller octopuses! We hope you enjoy this delicious recipe.
Main Ingredient- 1 Octopus Leg (cleaned)
Octopus Cleaning & Deodorizing- 1 handful of flour
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt
Boiling the Octopus (For Tender, Odor-Free Results!)- 1 piece of radish (approx. 10cm length)
- 1 green tea bag (or black tea)
- Pinch of coarse salt (optional)
- Pinch of vinegar (optional)
Tangy and Sweet Cold Salad Sauce- 1 Tbsp mustard powder
- 3 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 0.5 Tbsp salt
- 0.5 Tbsp plum syrup
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 handful of flour
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt
Boiling the Octopus (For Tender, Odor-Free Results!)- 1 piece of radish (approx. 10cm length)
- 1 green tea bag (or black tea)
- Pinch of coarse salt (optional)
- Pinch of vinegar (optional)
Tangy and Sweet Cold Salad Sauce- 1 Tbsp mustard powder
- 3 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 0.5 Tbsp salt
- 0.5 Tbsp plum syrup
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp mustard powder
- 3 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 0.5 Tbsp salt
- 0.5 Tbsp plum syrup
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare a fresh octopus leg. This recipe uses a giant octopus leg from Noryangjin Fish Market. (Smaller octopuses work well too.)
Step 2
Place the octopus leg in a large bowl. Add the flour and coarse salt. Rub the octopus thoroughly with your hands to clean it.
Step 3
This step is crucial for removing any fishy smell: vigorously scrub the octopus until the slimy coating is completely gone and it feels slightly rough to the touch.
Step 4
Rinse the cleaned octopus under cold running water several times. Make sure to thoroughly remove any remaining flour bits, especially from within the suction cups.
Step 5
In a pot large enough to hold the octopus, add plenty of water. Include a piece of radish (about 10cm) and a green tea bag to help remove any unpleasant odors. You can also add a pinch of salt and vinegar if desired. (Radish helps tenderize the octopus, and green tea eliminates odors.)
Step 6
Once the water comes to a rolling boil, carefully submerge the octopus leg starting from the tip into the boiling water. This technique helps the octopus curl up nicely and maintain its shape. (If your octopus is very large, it might not fit entirely in the pot. Cook it as best as you can.)
Step 7
Boil the octopus for about 12 minutes after the water returns to a boil over medium-high heat. Adjust the cooking time based on the size of your octopus. It’s ready when a skewer inserted into the thickest part goes through easily.
Step 8
Immediately after boiling, transfer the cooked octopus to a bowl of ice-cold water. This shocking process helps firm up the octopus, giving it a wonderfully chewy texture.
Step 9
Once the octopus has cooled down completely in the ice water, carefully remove it, pat it dry, and prepare it for serving.
Step 10
Cut the octopus legs into bite-sized pieces. For a more tender bite, you can gently peel off the outer skin. Also, remove any soft, gelatinous bits found inside the suction cups for a cleaner presentation.
Step 11
Arrange the tender boiled octopus slices attractively on a plate. Serve with wasabi-soy sauce or a spicy dipping sauce (gochujang-based) for an enhanced flavor experience.
Step 12
To make a refreshing octopus salad, thinly slice various fresh vegetables (like cucumber, carrots, onion, bell peppers) and arrange them beautifully on a platter. Drizzle with the prepared cold salad sauce for a delightfully tangy and sweet dish!
Step 13
Let’s make the delicious cold salad sauce! In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp mustard powder, 3 Tbsp vinegar, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sugar, 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, 0.5 Tbsp salt, 0.5 Tbsp plum syrup, and 1 Tbsp lemon juice. Whisk or stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly blended to create a perfect dressing.