Korean Spicy Stir-Fried Pork (Jeyuk Bokkeum)
This classic Korean spicy stir-fried pork features tender meat glazed in a vibrant, savory-sweet gochujang sauce. Perfect when served with steamed rice.
Jeyuk Bokkeum is a beloved Korean staple, prized for its perfect balance of fiery heat and savory richness. The key lies in the gochujang-based sauce, which caramelizes beautifully as it coats the thin slices of pork and crisp vegetables. It is a quintessential home-style dish that feels both comforting and bold, making it a regular fixture at Korean dinner tables.
Ingredients
- 500 g pork shoulder or pork belly, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp Korean chili paste (gochujang)
- 1 tbsp fine chili powder
- 1 tbsp coarse chili powder
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp MSG
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 2 red and green chili peppers, sliced
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- 1Prepare the spicy seasoning sauce
In a small container, combine the fine chili powder, coarse chili powder, Korean chili paste (gochujang), soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, oyster sauce, salt, MSG, and black pepper. Add a small amount of water to the mixture and stir thoroughly until a uniform, thick sauce is formed.
Tip: Adjust the ratio of fine to coarse chili powder depending on your preference for texture and spiciness. - 2Sear the pork
Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced pork—either shoulder or belly—into the hot pan. Stir-fry the meat continuously until it releases its juices and develops a nice, golden-brown sear.
Tip: Ensure the pan is sufficiently hot before adding the pork to achieve proper browning. - 3Add green onions
Once the pork is browned, add the sliced green onion segments into the pan. Stir-fry them with the meat until the green onions soften and release their aromatic flavor into the dish.
Tip: Adding the green onions after the meat has browned helps preserve their vibrant color and fresh aroma. - 4Incorporate the sauce
Pour the prepared chili-based sauce mixture over the pork and green onions in the pan. The sauce will coat the ingredients and begin to simmer, infusing the meat with deep, spicy flavors.
Tip: Scrape the sides of your sauce container to ensure every bit of the mixture makes it into the pan. - 5Sauté the vegetables
Add the sliced onions and carrot pieces into the pan. Stir-fry the vegetables with the pork and sauce until they become tender and the sauce evenly coats everything, creating a cohesive, flavorful stir-fry.
Tip: Try to slice the onions and carrots to a similar thickness so they cook evenly. - 6Garnish and finish
For the final touch, add the fresh green and red chili pepper slices to the pan. Drizzle a small amount of sesame oil over the dish, toss everything together for a few more seconds, and it is ready to be served.
Tip: Add the sesame oil at the very end to retain its nutty aroma, which can dissipate if cooked too long.
