Jeyuk Bokkeum (Spicy Stir-Fried Pork)
Local name: 제육볶음
In short: Thin slices of pork shoulder in a gochujang, garlic and ginger marinade, stir-fried with onion and scallion until glossy, sweet-hot and lightly charred. It takes about 27 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 27 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 495 kcal
Jeyuk bokkeum is spicy stir-fried pork, one of the most common lunch and dinner dishes in Korean homes and lunch restaurants. Thin slices of pork shoulder soak up a sweet and fiery gochujang marinade, then hit a very hot pan with onions and scallions so the edges caramelize. It goes onto rice or into lettuce wraps. It takes less than 30 minutes of active work, so it suits busy weeknights.
Instructions
- Stir the gochujang, chili flakes, soy sauce, sugar, rice wine, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and pepper together in a large bowl. Add the pork and massage the marinade in. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.
- Heat the oil in a large pan or wok over high heat. Stir-fry the onion and carrot for 2 minutes, until they start to soften.
- Add the pork and all its marinade in a single layer, working in two batches if your pan is small. Leave it for 2 minutes to brown, then stir.
- Keep cooking for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring now and then, until the pork is cooked through with no pink and the edges are caramelized and slightly charred.
- Add the scallions and green chili and toss for 1 minute. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and serve with rice and lettuce leaves for wrapping.
Tips
- Use shoulder or belly for juicy results. Lean loin dries out quickly in a hot pan. Partly freezing the meat for 30 minutes makes it easier to slice thinly.
- For a saucier dish, add 3 tbsp of water at the end and let it bubble for 1 minute. The marinade also freezes well with the pork in a flat bag.
Questions and answers
What cut of pork is best for jeyuk bokkeum?
Pork shoulder is juicy and affordable. Belly adds richness, and a mix of the two is excellent. Avoid lean loin, which turns dry and tough.
How spicy is jeyuk bokkeum?
Medium-hot. For a milder dish, use 1 tablespoon of chili flakes and increase the sugar slightly, while keeping the gochujang the same.
Can I marinate the pork overnight?
Yes, for up to 24 hours in the fridge. You can also freeze the pork in its marinade for up to 2 months and thaw it overnight before cooking.
How long does it take to make Jeyuk Bokkeum (Spicy Stir-Fried Pork)?
About 27 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Jeyuk Bokkeum (Spicy Stir-Fried Pork)?
About 495 kcal per serving, with 36 g of protein, 20 g of carbohydrates and 30 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 495 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 36 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Fat | 30 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
