Jwipo (Fish Jerky Korean Style)
Fish jerky, also known as Jwipo, is a popular snack in Korea, often served with a sauce made of mayonnaise, soy sauce, and green serrano chili. It makes a great finger food or drink accompaniment.
In Korea, grilled Jwipo (or Juipo, 쥐포) is a popular fish jerky enjoyed by all ages. Known for its savory and slightly salty flavor, it is a popular snack and a common accompaniment to traditional Korean alcoholic drinks.
This fish jerky snack is simple and quick to prepare, with the dried fish quickly grilled in butter. The addition of a flavorful dipping sauce, made from soy sauce, mayonnaise, and green chili, elevates the taste and provides a balance of savory and sweet flavors.
What is Jwipo?
Jwipo is a Korean style fish jerky that is made from dried and salted filefish. It is a common snack in Korea and is known for its chewy texture and savory taste.
The process of making Jwipo begins with selecting filefish fillet. The fish is then cleaned and cut into thin slices. These slices are then marinated in a mixture of salt, sugar, and other spices for several hours. After the marination process, the slices are sun-dried for several days until they become chewy and have a briny, savory flavor.
Jwipo is readily available at many Korean markets and online shops. It’s a common gift for special events and a favored snack for outdoor activities like hiking and camping.
Korean drink accompaniment (Anju)
Anju is a type of traditional Korean side dish that is meant to be served with drinks at bars and taverns.
Typical Korean anju dishes are:
- Scallion Pancakes with Seafood (Pajeon)
- Korean Fried Chicken (Chimaek)
- Best Bossam Recipe (Korean Pork Belly Wraps)
- Korean Mung Bean Pancakes (Bindaetteok)
In addition to being a snack and ingredient in dishes, Jwipo is also commonly enjoyed as an accompaniment to alcoholic drinks, such as soju, makgeolli, or beer.
The combination of Jwipo and alcoholic drinks is considered to be a classic and much-loved pairing. Its savory flavor and chewy texture make it a popular choice for those looking to enhance their drinking experience.
The high protein content of Jwipo can help to balance the effects of alcohol and prevent overeating, making it a popular snack choice for those who are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle while enjoying alcoholic drinks.
So next time you have a drink with friends or family, consider including Jwipo in your snack lineup.
The use of Jwipo in Korean cuisine
Jwipo is a versatile snack that can be enjoyed on its own or used in dishes like “Jwipo-bokkeum,” a stir-fried dish made with gochujang, similar to Korean shredded dried squid or dried anchovy side dishes.
Ingredients for making fish jerky Korean style snack
- Dried filefish: Choose large and slightly thick pieces of Jwipo, rather than small ones.
- Butter: It adds buttery flavor to the fish jerky
- Soy sauce
- Mayonnaise
- Chili: Although spicier green chilies such as Serrano or Jalapeno chilies are great, milder chilies are a good alternative if you want less heat.
Korean Dried Filefish
Jwipo is a traditional staple Korean street food that is made of dry pressed filefish fillet jerky.
How to make grilled buttery fish jerky (Jwipo)
Step 1. Pan-grill dried fish in butter
Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add dried filefish and gently press down with a spatula. Grill until brown spots form here and there on the bottom side with a slight charred edge.
Turn the Jwipo over and continue roasting in butter while occasionally pressing down with a spatula. Cook until your desired doneness.
Step 2. Cut into strips
Allow the fish jerky to cool slightly. Using a pair of scissors, cut it into thin, bite-sized strips.
Step 3. Make dipping sauce
To make the dipping sauce, combine soy sauce and mayonnaise in a small, shallow serving dish. Sprinkle chopped chili on top. Do not mix the sauce.
Serve with cold drinks
To serve, dip the fish jerky into the dipping sauce and scoop up the pieces of chili, then enjoy with a cold drink, whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
More authentic Korean recipes
These recipes are truly authentic, yet very easy to make at home. Try them all and savor the taste of Korea!
- 20-Minute Authentic Tteokbokki (Spicy Korean Rice Cake)
- How to Make Authentic Bibimbap in Under 1 Hour
- Easy Japchae Recipe (Korean Glass Noodles)
- Kimbap (Korean Seaweed Rice Roll)
Jwipo (Fish Jerky Korean Style)
Ingredients
- 4 pieces dried filefish (Jwipo)
- 1 tbsp butter, cut in half
- 1 tbsp soy sauce, low sodium preferred
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 serrano chili, finely chopped
Instructions
- Heat 1/2 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add dried filefish and gently press down with a spatula. Roast until brown spots form here and there on the bottom side with a slight charred edge.
- Turn the fish over and continue roasting in butter while occasionally pressing down with a spatula. Cook until your desired doneness. Repeat the rest. Allow the fish jerky to cool slightly. Using a pair of scissors, cut it into bite-sized strips.
- To make the dipping sauce, combine soy sauce and mayonnaise in a small, shallow serving dish. Sprinkle chopped chili on top. Do not mix the sauce.
- To serve, dip the fish jerky into the dipping sauce and scoop up the pieces of chili, then enjoy with a cold drink, whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
I will make this at home.
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I only have a electric burner so I am not sure I can try this recipe?! I do have a oven, anyway I can make this using the oven? Or broil? Let me know. Thank You
Hi Kelsey
I think you can directly roast over electric burner over high heat since they are dried and won’t leak any liquid. I’ve never tried in the oven myself so I can’t assure you how it will turn out. Some people skip roasting part and soak them in the warm water for 1-2 minutes instead, then, towel dry, and tear before they add to the sauce. That will make very soft and tender Juipo dish than roasted one.
This turned out much better than I thought it would. However, we used ground meat and let it marinate for almost 24 hrs(or basically "soak" up the marinade).
Its looking Nice, Pictures are Awesome! I will make this at home. Anyways, Nice sharing!!
@Jillian
Dried fish jerky, such as Korean Juipo, has same amount of protein as beef within same volume but with very low in fat. It is good for you if you want to avoid fat but increase protein. However since they are soaked in sugar, salt and other acids to add more flavor before drying process you might need to count on sodium intake. I think the same process goes with other types of jerky(beef, salmon etc) as well. Some people make their own fish jerky without adding any sugar or salt by drying them naturally under the sun directly. Those fishes are more for soups and other types of dishes that requires sodium added on later but not for eating the way they are since they will be fishy. Hope this helps.
I know fish is a very healthy meat to eat as it has almost all protien, very few calories, and has the omega 3's. But when it goes through the process of becoming Jerky does that make it unhealthy or no? I was looking at the tuna and salmon jerky but cant find any health info on it. Thanks.
wow..Looks so yummy. I love fish anyway. I am curious on how it really taste like. :).Korean dishes are really unique.
Well, Asian style red snapper fish jerky is a wonderful treat for those who love fish jerky. Thanks for sharing.
I might enjoy eating this Korean dish, so I think i should try it. Great idea on sharing this blog post. Thank you 🙂
Is this Juipo or crisp? Well, Its looking good I will try it sometime. thanks for the share.
I learned this terrific version of fish jerky while fishing with Slim in Utah.. It comes out tender, flaky, and moist.. The flavor is superb.
Its looking great! I didn't know how much I missed this until today. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Well, I could cook on my own, I guess I'll try this one coz it looks delicious. Thanks for this. Well.
Awesome!!! I have tasted some Korean dishes and I really love it. Maybe I could cook on my own. I guess I'll try this one coz it looks delicious. Thanks for the share, i really like your blog.
Oh I love this! I didnt know how much I missed this until today. Thanks for sharing this recipe,I'm going to try and make this real soon.
@Gabriel
Thanks for visiting my blog. People says that once you get hooked on to Korean food you get addicted. Hope you like the recipe.
Awesome!!! I have tasted some Korean dishes and I really love it. Maybe I could cook on my own. I guess I'll try this one coz it looks delicious. Thanks for this.
Thanks for introducing Korean fish jerky 😀