A Practical Guide to Korean Food and Korean Fusion Food

Have you had these slightly spicy, chewy and sweet stir fried dried squid strips (오징어채 볶음) before? Wow, it is a real long name in English isn’t it?

I remember when I was in primary school, I shared my lunch with other friends. The lunch box usually consisted of steamed rice, a couple of side dishes, and sometimes soup as well. Sharing your lunch box with friends mean sharing various side dishes with each other, so we can have more variety of food.

One day, I tasted these stir fried dried squid strips from one of my friend’s lunch box and it was so delicious. After school, I had to mention about this food to my mom and also asked if she can make some for my lunch box as well.

I don’t know what it is so special about this side dish but I am sure every kid loves it. I have to say it is very morish too.

(AU$4.10 – available at a Korean grocery shop )

By the way, plain dried squid strips are often served as a drinking snack, especially with some beer at a bar in Korea. However I prefer to have this as a side dish with rice. I love the sweet and spicy taste. Do you?

Ingredients (takes less than 15 minutes total)

Note : The ingredients are enough to make 5 to 7 single side dishes.

• 141 g dried squid strips
• 2 tsp vegetable oil

-Sauce (mix these in a bowl)

• 4 tsp Gochujang
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp honey
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp red wine (or rice wine)

Methods

1. Soak the dried squid strips in cold water for about 10 minutes.
2. Drain the water and slightly squeeze the squid strips.
3. Pre heat the wok for 10 seconds on high heat and add the vegetable oil.
4. Turn the heat down to medium heat and add the sauce.
5. When the sauce is heated, add the dried squid strips.
6. Mix the sauce and the dried squid strips well.
7. Simmer it for about 20 seconds (until the sauce nearly disappears).
8. Serve it on a plate (you can sprinkle some roasted sesame seeds on top).