Spicy Stir-fried Calamari

Spicy Stir-fried calamari is a delicious dish with delicate, spicy, and savory flavors. This recipe encompasses a fiery kick with soft textures. If you love seafood, you will enjoy stir-fried calamari (Ojingeo-bokkeum).

Squid has been a staple of Korean diets for a long time, and stir-fried calamari in gochujang is popular among locals who live along the Korean peninsula.

The Key Ingredients for Stir-fried Calamari

Calamari, Green Chili, Onion, Scallions, Purple Cabbage, Gochuchang, Oyster Sauce, Paprika Powder, Ginger Powder, Soy Sauce, Ginger and Garlic Paste, Sesame seed oil.

Fresh squid is tender with a chewy texture. It pairs perfectly with the gochujang sauce. Substitute with Shrimp, Prawns, or Chicken. Green chili, Onion, Scallions, and Purple Cabbage add crunch and flavor to the Spicy stir-fried calamari.

Gochujang is a fermented chili paste from South Korea. It is deep red in colour, and its primary flavours are sweet and spicy. It is made with red chili peppers from Korea, which have a subtle heat, but they are not as hot as Mexican, Indian, or Chinese chilies.

Oyster sauce has an umami taste that enhances the flavour of seafood. If you don’t have oyster sauce, substitute it with fish sauce or two tablespoons of soy sauce and one teaspoon of sugar to achieve the same taste. Paprika powder and Ginger powder add a subtle heat. Soy sauce adds a unique flavour. (Substitute with Tamari sauce or Worcestershire sauce.) You can create your own paste with twenty grams of fresh ginger and five cloves of garlic for ginger and garlic. Sesame seed oil adds a nutty flavour.

Instructions

Prepare the sauce: Heat the pan on medium heat and add the gochujang. When the gochujang starts to warm up, add the soy sauce. Next, add the ginger-garlic paste. When infused, these flavors create a spicy, salty medley of flavors.

Continue by adding the oyster sauce, paprika powder, ginger powder (optional), sesame seed oil, and a little bit of olive oil. This creates a smooth consistency in the sauce. Stir the ingredients together, ensuring that they are well-combined.

Allow the sauce to thicken for about two minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning. Once it has reached a thickened consistency, the sauce is ready. It will have a glossy appearance. Taste the seasoning. You can add more paprika powder for heat. Turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove.

Cook the vegetables: Heat up oil on medium-high heat in a separate wok. Add the sliced red cabbage, onion, chives and begin stir-frying. Make sure to keep the vegetables moving in the pan; this will prevent them from burning.

Gradually, the vegetables will soften and release water. They will caramelize and brown, developing a golden appearance. This process will bring out the savoury sweetness of onions and cabbage.

Combine all ingredients: Add the calamari to the pan. Add the vegetables, followed by the premade red pepper sauce. Mix the ingredients to ensure the calamari and vegetables are coated with the sauce. Increase the heat to medium heat and cook for five minutes.

As the cabbage softens, it absorbs the sauce’s flavours while ensuring a crunchy texture. The calamari becomes tender as it mixes with the sauce. After five minutes, drizzle sesame seed oil on top for an extra nutty taste. Give the Ojingeo-bokkeum one final stir and serve.

Expert Tips to Stir-fried Calamari

Make sure that the pan is on low heat before adding the ingredients. This will prevent the sauce or ingredients from sticking to the pan. Calamari is a delicate mollusk; it can overcook and turn rubbery if the temperature is high. It is essential to avoid long cooking times. Once the calamari has curled up around the edges, it is ready. Add garnishes such as toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions or chives for extra flavour.

How to Store Ojingeo-bokkeum?

You can store it in the fridge for two to three days. Reheat the ojingeo-bokkeum in a skillet on low heat. Freezing is also possible; however, the texture of the ojingeo-bokkeum will change. Make sure that it cools down completely, and then add it to a freezer-safe Tupperware or freezer packet. Freeze for one to two months. Reheat on the stove.

What to Serve with Ojingeo-bokkeum (Stir-fried Calamari)?

Serve your calamari stir-fry with Steamed rice. Kimchi pairs well with this dish. You can also eat it alongside mustard leaves or Kkaenip. Korean dried seaweed also goes well.