Beoseot Gangjeong (버섯 강정)
Korea
Crispy fried mushrooms in a sweet-sour sauce with notes of Korean gochujang. Perfect as an appetizer or side dish with rice and vegetables.
Ingredients
- 57 g dried shiitake
- 0.25 pcs bell pepper
- 30 g potato starch
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp gochujang
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp rice syrup
- 1.5 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp rice wine
- to taste vegetable oil
Steps
-
Soak the dried mushrooms in warm water until fully rehydrated and soft — about 2 hours.
-
Drain the water, squeeze the mushrooms, cut them into quarters (or halves if they are small). Cut the pepper into small pieces.
-
Toss the mushrooms in starch, mixing thoroughly so each piece is evenly coated.
-
In a separate pot combine soy sauce, gochujang, rice vinegar, rice syrup, honey, and rice wine. Stir and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 4 minutes.
-
Heat the prepared sauce, add the mushrooms and sliced pepper, stir until the mushrooms are coated with the sauce.
-
Heat vegetable oil to approximately 320 °F (≈160 °C). Fry the mushrooms in batches until they turn light‑golden, 1–2 minutes.
-
Remove the mushrooms with a slotted spoon and place them on a rack or paper towel to drain excess oil.
-
Reheat vegetable oil and quickly fry the mushrooms again until they achieve a bright‑golden color, about 1 minute.
-
Serve hot, optionally sprinkled with sesame seeds or green onions.
FAQ
How do you pronounce Beoseot Gangjeong?
It's pronounced 'Buh-suht Gahng-juhng'. 'Beoseot' means mushroom, and 'Gangjeong' refers to the sweet, crispy coating.
What is Gangjeong?
Gangjeong is a traditional Korean confectionery or dish where ingredients are coated in a sweet, often sticky, syrup and then fried or baked until crispy.
Can I make Beoseot Gangjeong vegetarian or vegan?
Yes, this recipe is already vegetarian. To make it vegan, ensure your gochujang and rice syrup are vegan-friendly and substitute honey with agave nectar or maple syrup.
How does Umami Guru help with complex Korean dishes?
Umami Guru's AI assistant provides step-by-step guidance, ingredient substitutions, and cost calculation, making even intricate recipes like Beoseot Gangjeong accessible and enjoyable to cook.
What are common ways to serve Beoseot Gangjeong?
Beoseot Gangjeong is delicious as an appetizer, a side dish with steamed rice and other banchan, or even as a snack on its own.