Korean Spicy Stir-fried Pork (Jeyuk Bokkeum)
A beloved Korean soul food staple featuring thinly sliced pork coated in a vibrant, spicy, and slightly sweet chili glaze. Ready in just ten minutes.
Jeyuk Bokkeum is a quintessential Korean dish that perfectly balances heat and comfort. Whether enjoyed at home as a quick weeknight meal or served as a hearty late-night snack, its bold, addictive flavor is defined by the depth of gochujang and the satisfying crunch of fresh green onions. This versatile stir-fry highlights how simple techniques and high-impact seasonings can create a complex, restaurant-quality meal in minutes.
Ingredients
- 400 g pork belly, hind leg, or shoulder
- 2 tbsp Korean chili paste (gochujang)
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 2 stalks green onions
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- optional toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- 1Slice the pork
Cut the pork into thin, bite-sized pieces based on your preference. Keeping the meat slices thin allows the spicy seasoning to absorb much better and results in a tastier dish.
Tip: Wipe the meat with a paper towel before cutting. This removes excess moisture and helps prevent oil splattering when frying. - 2Fry the meat
Heat a frying pan with a little cooking oil and carefully add the sliced pork. Pan-fry the meat until it starts to brown. You can use pork belly, hind leg, or shoulder for this recipe.
Tip: If you are cooking for two people, about 400g of meat is the perfect portion size. - 3Prepare the spicy sauce
In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of Korean chili paste (gochujang), 2 tablespoons of chili powder, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 2 spoons of minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon of oyster sauce. Mix well until a thick paste forms.
Tip: Prepare the sauce ahead of time so the flavors have a few minutes to meld together before adding it to the pan. - 4Add the sauce to the pork
Once the pork has started to brown, pour the mixed spicy sauce directly into the frying pan. Stir-fry everything together for 3 to 5 minutes so the meat is evenly coated and absorbs the flavors.
Tip: Keep the pan moving to prevent the sugar in the marinade from burning on the bottom of the pan. - 5Toss in green onions
Add large, chopped green onion segments into the pan with the spicy pork. Continue to stir-fry until the green onions are slightly tender and the meat is fully cooked through.
Tip: Finish the dish by serving it on a plate with a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra flavor and visual appeal.
