Spicy Korean Pork Belly Jeyuk Bokkeum Food

SPICY KOREAN PORK BELLY (JEYUK BOKKEUM)

Steps:

• Marinade: The day before cooking, slice pork belly into bite-size pieces: 2-inch squares, ¼-inch thin. (Note: Cut the pieces thinner than shown in the video.) Set aside. Smash and peel the garlic, then finely chop. Use the flat part of your knife to press down on the garlic to further break it down, then continue to mince. Place in a mixing bowl along with the pork, sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, sake, mirin, and gochujang. Mix the ingredients together and set aside.
• Peel and trim the onion, then slice in half. Cut each half into thin half-moon slices. Place the sliced onions on top of the pork mixture, but do not mix. Cover the bowl with plastic and marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
• Garnish: Prior to cooking, trim and discard scallion roots. Fill a bowl with water. Line up scallions in a flat, even layer and use a sharp knife to cut them thinly, employing a slicing motion, not a chopping motion. (Slicing with minimal pressure will keep the scallions bright and vibrant.) Place sliced scallions in water and move around to remove impurities. Drain in a colander, then wrap in a clean towel and squeeze out remaining liquid. Spread scallions on a paper towel-lined plate to further dry while cooking the pork.
• Pork: Remove marinated pork from refrigerator and mix in the onions. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, 1 minute. Add ½ tablespoon oil and continue heating, 30 seconds. Add some of the pork and onion mixture in an even layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Lower heat to medium and let the pork cook undisturbed until caramelized on one side, shaking the pan occasionally, 4-5 minutes. Flip meat over and cook the other side, 3-4 more minutes. Remove to a plate and repeat with remaining pork in batches. Garnish with scallions and serve with white rice.

JEYUK BOKKEUM (OR SPICY PORK BULGOGI)

Steps:

• Thinly slice the meat, if not pre-sliced.
• Mix all marinade ingredients well in a large bowl. Add the meat and toss everything well to evenly coat the meat with the marinade. Add the onion and scallions and toss again. Let it sit for about 30 minutes.
• Grill or pan fry in a skillet (in 2 batches) over medium high heat until slightly caramelized. Adjust the heat as necessary.

SPICY PORK BELLY SLIDERS

Steps:

• To make the marinade, put the onion, gochujang, soy sauce, garlic, sugar, sake, mirin, and sesame oil in a bowl and mix well to combine. Add the pork and turn to coat the meat. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, set a large sauté pan over medium heat. Once it's hot, add the pork, working in batches so as not to overcrowd the pan and leaving any liquid in the bowl. Cook, stirring occasionally and flipping the meat, until lightly caramelized and golden brown on both sides, about 10 minutes. (If you overcrowd the pan, the meat will steam instead of sear.) Transfer to a platter.
• When the meat is cooked, open the buns, butter the interiors, and toast them until they are a light golden brown.
• To serve, spread both cut sides of each bun with a healthy smear of mayo and pile the spicy pork generously on the bottoms of the buns. Top with the sliced cucumbers. Serve immediately.
• Cooks' Note:
• The pork belly must be marinated overnight. You can also grill the pork on an outdoor grill over a high flame. The sugars in the marinade will char and caramelize, giving you a more interesting texture and flavor, but be careful not to burn the pork.

JEYUK BOKKEUM (SPICY PORK BULGOGI WITH PEARS)

Steps:

• Combine the meat, scallions, and onion in a medium bowl.
• Combine the marinade ingredients in a small bowl, mixing together well, and pour over the meat.
• Mix everything together well - I find this works best with your hands. Cover and let stand an hour. (If it will stand longer, place in the refrigerator).
• Grill or pan grill. If using a skillet, put a little neutral oil and sesame oil in the heated skillet. Do not crowd the meat, as it will then steam - cook in batches. Cook until the meat is a bit caramelized - perhaps 5 or 6 minutes.
• Serve with lettuce, rolling the cooked mixture into the leaves. I like Boston or another leafy lettuce for this, as it rolls easily, but romaine works, too.