KoreaОстрый кальмар — одно из самых популярных домашних блюд корейской кухни. Главное — не передержать кальмара: 2–3 минуты на сильном огне, постоянно помешивая. Передержишь — резина, не додержишь — нежный и сочный.
Always use high heat and keep the squid moving in the pan. The moment it turns opaque and curls slightly — it is done. Another 30 seconds and it becomes tough.
Korean Spicy Squid Stir-Fry
A bold Korean stir-fry of tender squid with carrot, bell pepper, and onion in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce. Fast, fiery, and deeply savory — ready in under 10 minutes once the vegetables are prepped. Serve with rice and kimchi.
Key Ingredients
What you'll need
Ingredients
- 300 gSee recipes with squid
squid, cleaned and sliced into strips
i - 1See recipes with carrot
carrot, julienned
i - 1See recipes with bell pepper
bell pepper, sliced
i - 0.5See recipes with onion
onion, sliced
i - 2See recipes with garlic cloves
garlic cloves, minced
i - 1 tspSee recipes with fresh ginger
fresh ginger, grated
i - 1 tbspSee recipes with gochujang
gochujang (Korean chili paste)
i - 1 tbspSee recipes with soy sauce
soy sauce
i - 1 tspSee recipes with sesame oil
sesame oil
i - 1 tsp
- See recipes with vegetable oil for frying
vegetable oil for frying
i - See recipes with green onion and sesame seeds for serving
green onion and sesame seeds for serving
i
How to make it
Instructions
- 1
Mix gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, ginger, and garlic in a bowl to make the sauce.
- 2
Heat oil in a wok or wide skillet over high heat. Stir-fry carrot, bell pepper, and onion for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- 3
Add squid and sauce. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes, tossing constantly. Do not overcook — squid should stay tender.
- 4
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onion. Serve immediately with steamed rice and kimchi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does squid become rubbery when frying — how to cook squid so it stays tender?
Squid cooks in 2–3 minutes over high heat. The mistakes: low heat (squid steams in its own liquid) and overcooking. If overdone it turns tough. When in doubt, undercook — always choose the tender side.
What can replace gochujang Korean chili paste if it is not available at the store?
Gochujang is a fermented Korean chili paste. Substitute: mix tomato paste + sriracha + a pinch of sugar in a 2:1:0.5 ratio. The flavor will be simpler but acceptable. Gochujang is available in Asian grocery stores and online.
Can Korean spicy squid be made with frozen squid?
Yes — thawed squid works well. Make sure to fully defrost and pat dry with paper towels before frying — excess water makes the sauce watery and prevents a proper sear.
What is gochujang and how does Korean spicy food differ from Chinese and Japanese?
Gochujang is a thick fermented paste of rice, chili, and soybeans. Korean heat is not just sharp — it delivers a deep sweet-salty-spicy flavor with umami. Unlike Chinese chili oil (direct and bright) or Japanese wasabi (sharp and fleeting), gochujang builds slowly and lingers.
What to serve with Korean spicy squid besides rice — best side dish and serving ideas?
Classically with steamed rice and kimchi. Also excellent as a filling in Korean rice paper rolls, in tacos, or served over cold glass noodles to balance the heat.
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