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Spicy Korean Stir-Fried Octopus (Nakji-bokkeum)

groups4 servingsspeedMediumcountertopsPrep: 15 minsskilletCook: 5 minsscheduleTotal: 20 minsoutdoor_grillStir-frylocal_fire_departmentSpicy
Allergens:warningMolluscswarningSoy

Allergen labels are AI-generated and may be incomplete or wrong. If you have a food allergy, always verify every ingredient yourself.

Recipe details are AI-generated from the video and may contain errors — for reference only.

skilletInstruction

8 Steps Total
01
Preparation
00:01:30

Thaw 1.5 kg of frozen octopus slightly, cut open the head with scissors, remove the internal organs, split the head in half, and remove the mouth.

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Watch out

Cut carefully when removing the internal organs to avoid puncturing the ink sac and staining the meat.

Ingredients:frozen octopus (1.5 kg)
Tools:scissorschef's knife
02
Preparation
00:03:02

Add 2 tbsp of wheat flour to the cleaned octopus, massage vigorously until the suckers are clean of dirt and the flesh is tenderized, then rinse thoroughly with running water.

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Watch out

Massage the octopus thoroughly with flour to remove all slime and impurities, otherwise the dish will have a fishy taste.

Ingredients:wheat flour (2 tbsp)frozen octopus
Tools:metal bowl
03
Active Cooking
00:04:15
warningStay safe

Boiling water can splash when dipping the octopus; lower it gently using tongs.

Blanch the cleaned octopus in boiling water by dipping it in and out 10 times, then transfer to a colander and cut into 2 to 3 inch bite-sized pieces.

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Watch out

Do not over-blanch the octopus, otherwise it will become rubbery when stir-fried later.

Ingredients:frozen octopus
Tools:saucepanchef's knifecutting boardslotted strainerTongs
04
Preparation
00:06:27

Finely chop 7 garlic cloves and 2 tsp of ginger, chop 2 green chili peppers, dice 0.5 cup of onion into small cubes, and chop 1 green onion.

Ingredients:Garlic (7 clove)ginger (2 tsp)green chili pepper (2 piece)Onion (0.5 cup)green onion (1 piece)
Tools:chef's knifecutting board
05
Preparation
00:09:00

In a bowl, combine 0.25 cup hot pepper flakes, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp potato starch, 0.25 cup rice syrup, and 0.5 tsp black pepper, then mix well until thick and glossy.

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Watch out

Mix the potato starch thoroughly into the sauce, otherwise it will form lumps when added to the hot pan.

Ingredients:hot pepper flakes (0.25 cup)soy sauce (3 tbsp)sugar (1 tbsp)potato starch (1 tbsp)rice syrup (0.25 cup)crushed black pepper (0.5 tsp)
Tools:mixing bowlwooden spoon
06
Active Cooking
00:10:11
warningStay safe

Hot oil may splatter when wet aromatics are added; add them carefully from the side of the pan.

Heat a pan over medium-high heat, add 2 tbsp vegetable oil, then add the chopped green onion, diced onion, minced garlic, and ginger, and stir-fry until the garlic turns light brown and crisp and the onion becomes translucent.

local_fire_departmentmedium high
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Watch out

Stir continuously while sautéing the aromatics to prevent the minced garlic from burning and turning bitter.

Ingredients:vegetable oil (2 tbsp)green onionOnionGarlicginger
Tools:wooden spatulapan
07
Active Cooking
00:10:55

Add the blanched octopus and the prepared chili sauce into the pan, and stir-fry briskly for 2 to 3 minutes until the octopus is fully coated in glossy red sauce and tender.

local_fire_departmentmedium high
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Watch out

Do not stir-fry for more than 3 minutes, otherwise the octopus will release excess water and become tough.

Ingredients:frozen octopus
Tools:wooden spatulapan
08
Active Cooking
00:11:28

Turn off the heat, drizzle 1 tsp of sesame oil over the stir-fried octopus, mix well, and transfer to a serving plate.

Ingredients:sesame oil (1 tsp)
Tools:serving platepan

groceryAll Ingredients

frozen octopus1.5 kg
wheat flour2 tbsp
Garlic7 clove
ginger2 tsp
green chili pepper2 piece
Onion0.5 cup
green onion1 piece
hot pepper flakes0.25 cup
soy sauce3 tbsp
sugar1 tbsp
potato starch1 tbsp
rice syrup0.25 cup
crushed black pepper0.5 tsp
vegetable oil2 tbsp
sesame oil1 tsp

blenderAll Tools Needed

scissorschef's knifemetal bowlsaucepancutting boardslotted strainerTongsmixing bowlwooden spoonwooden spatulapanserving plate