Ojingeo Bokkeum (Spicy Korean Squid Stir-Fry)
Ojingeo Bokkeum is a Korean spicy squid stir-fry ideal for seafood and spice enthusiasts. This easy recipe uses a few staple Korean ingredients to create a delicious, flavor-packed meal.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 3/4 cup chopped Asian leek or green onion
- 1/2 medium onion sliced
- 1/2 carrot thinly sliced
- 1 large squid (about 14-16 oz) cleaned
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 green onion to garnish, optional
Spicy Sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru)
- 2 tbsp Korean chili paste (gochujang)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
To prepare the squid
- Keep the squid tube whole and cut it into rings. Or open up the tube to slice into strips.
- This step is optional, but it's a common technique before cutting the squid into strips. Lightly score the squid body in a diamond pattern (about 1/4-inch squares). This not only makes the squid hold more sauce but also gives it a unique appearance. Then, slice the squid body into strips and cut the tentacles into pieces of your preferred size.
To make the sauce
- In a small bowl, mix together gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), gochujang (chili paste), soy sauce, minced garlic, and a pinch of black pepper. Set this sauce aside for later.
To stir-fry
- Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add sliced Asian leek (or green onions) and stir-fry for 30-60 seconds, until the aroma is released and the leek is slightly caramelized. Toss in the onion and carrot, continuing to stir-fry for another minute.
- Add the prepared squid and a sprinkle of sugar. Stir-fry everything together for about a minute. Then, push the squid mix to one side of the pan. Do not fully cook the squid at this point.
- Pour the spicy sauce into the other side of the pan, tilting it so the sauce gathers in one spot. This method draws out moisture from the squid. Stir-fry the sauce until the moisture has almost evaporated, about 30 seconds, keeping the heat high.
- Mix the squid mixture back with the sauce, add fresh green chili if you like, and toss everything together for another 15-30 seconds.
- Take the skillet off the heat, drizzle sesame oil over the top, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds. Serve your spicy squid stir-fry immediately with white rice for a delicious meal.
Video
Notes
How to clean squid:
To clean a squid, first pull the head and tentacles away from the body to remove the innards. Cut off the tentacles just above the eyes and discard the head and guts. Remove the hard beak from the tentacles. Pull out the clear, plastic-like quill from the body tube, and optionally peel off the skin. Rinse everything under cold water to remove any residue. Now your squid is ready to be cooked!
Nutrition
Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 1161mg | Potassium: 519mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 5390IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 3mg