| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 360 | 12g | 3g | 43g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 10g | 4g | 27g | 2.1g |
Why I Love South Korean Spicy Stir-Fried Squid
Every now and again, I find myself yearning for a taste adventure that reaches beyond my deep-rooted Louisiana-French heritage, and it’s almost impossible for me to resist the irresistible sizzling allure of a good South Korean dish. One of my personal favorites, and a recipe I’m ecstatic to share today, is the tantalizingly Spicy Stir-Fried Squid
A Burst of Flavor
Now, I can almost hear your intrigued murmurs, partially naive, partially excited, so allow me to quell your curiosity. This Korean delight has a lot going on. Imagine your palate being painted with a smoky, slightly sweet, and distinctly spicy picasso – a result of the majestic duo of Korean red chili pepper paste (Gochujang) and fermented soybean paste (Doenjang). The heat is quickly followed by a medley of flavors and textures coming from a colorfully diverse ensemble of vegetables. Fresh squid, the star of the show, adds a subtle sweetness and a unique textural contrast that simply screams the wonders of the Koreans’ seafood prowess.
Inspiration Behind the Dish
My idea to create this beautiful recipe was a result of my binge-watching sessions of Maangchi’s YouTube channel. There’s a certain joy in watching her deft ease with Korean ingredients, one that has inspired me to try and create magic in my kitchen using the same.
For those unfamiliar with Korean cuisine, the Spicy Stir-Fried Squid is often compared to the popular dish Bulgogi, a marinated beef stir-fry. They both share a unique sweet-spicy flavor profile. They both make perfect pairings to a bowl of hot steamed rice or bibimbap. They’re a joy to all meat lovers, but the Spicy Stir-Fried Squid certainly presents a nostalgic seaside experience that’s hard to rival.
So, whether you’re trying Korean food for the first time, or simply looking to try your hand at a new dish, my version of the Spicy Stir-Fried Squid will surely tantalize your taste buds.
What You’ll Need
- 1.5 lbs of fresh squid, cleaned and sliced into rings
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced into thin strips
- 2 medium bell peppers, sliced into thin strips
- 3 green chili peppers, sliced
- 3 red chili peppers, sliced
- 1 bunch scallions, sliced into 2 inch pieces
- 5 tbsp Korean red chili pepper paste (Gochujang)
- 2 tbsp Korean fermented soybean paste (Doenjang)
- 1.5 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Korean red chili pepper flakes (Gochugaru)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- black pepper to taste
- sesame seeds for garnish
Method
Step One
Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and fry for a minute until it is fragrant.
Step Two
Add the sliced onion to the pan, stirring constantly. Cook for a couple of minutes until the onion has softened and become translucent.
Step Three
Add the fresh squid to the pan. Keep stir frying for 4 to 5 minutes until the squid becomes firm and opaque.
Step Four
Add the sliced carrots, bell peppers and chili peppers to the pan. Continue to stir fry for another 4-5 minutes until these vegetables are soft.
Step Five
Mix in the Gochujang, Doenjang, sugar, soy sauce and Gochugaru. Stir everything well to ensure the flavors of the pastes and sauces are well combined with the squid and vegetables.
Step Six
Add the sliced scallions, sesame oil and black pepper to the pan. Stir for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the scallions are soft.
Step Seven
Turn off the heat and transfer the spicy stir-fried squid to a large serving dish. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top as a garnish.
Step Eight
Serve the Spicy Stir-Fried Squid hot, preferably with rice or noodles on the side. Enjoy this nutritious and exciting Korean dish!
