Spicy Stir-Fried Octopus (Nakji Bokkeum) Recipe

Spicy Stir-Fried Octopus (Nakji Bokkeum) Recipe

Are you craving something spicy, savory, and full of texture? Today, I'm sharing a delicious Korean recipe that's perfect for seafood lovers: Nakji Bokkeum, or Spicy Stir-Fried Octopus. This dish is a favorite in Korean households and pairs perfectly with steamed rice. Let’s dive into the ingredients and step-by-step instructions!

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🐙 Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• Frozen octopus – 4 small ones (or 2 large ones)
• Onion – 1 (sliced)
• Green onion – 1 stalk (cut into 2-inch pieces)
• Cheongyang chili peppers (Korean spicy green chili) – 3 to 5 (sliced)

To Clean the Octopus

• All-purpose flour – 5 tablespoons
• Coarse salt – 1 tablespoon

For the Sauce

• Korean red pepper flakes (Gochugaru) – 6 tablespoons
• Korean red pepper paste (Gochujang) – 2 tablespoons
• Soy sauce – 2 tablespoons
• Plum extract – 1 tablespoon
• Corn syrup – 3 tablespoons
• Sugar – 1 tablespoon
• Minced garlic – 2 tablespoons
• Ground ginger – 1 teaspoon
• Cooking wine (like mirin) – 2 tablespoons
• Vegetable oil – 1 tablespoon
• Sesame oil – 1 tablespoon

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🧼 Step 1: Clean the Octopus

If you're using frozen octopus, defrost them completely first.

1. In a large bowl, mix 5 tablespoons of flour and 1 tablespoon of coarse salt.
2. Add the octopus and gently massage them with the mixture. This helps remove slime and any fishy odor.
3. Rinse thoroughly under cold water several times until clean.
4. Cut the octopus into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

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🔥 Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

In a bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients:

• 6T gochugaru
• 2T gochujang
• 2T soy sauce
• 1T plum extract
• 3T corn syrup
• 1T sugar
• 2T minced garlic
• 1t ground ginger
• 2T cooking wine
• 1T vegetable oil
• 1T sesame oil

Stir well until you have a smooth, thick sauce.

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🍳 Step 3: Stir-Fry

1. Heat a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add a bit of oil and toss in the onions and green onions. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes.
3. Add the octopus pieces and pour in the sauce.
4. Stir-fry quickly over high heat for 3–5 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the octopus, or it can become rubbery.
5. Add the sliced chili peppers at the end and stir everything together.

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🌿 Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Serve immediately with a bowl of hot steamed rice. You can also pair it with lettuce leaves for wrapping, or enjoy it with a cold beer for a spicy, satisfying treat.

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✅ Tips

• If you want it less spicy, reduce the amount of gochugaru or use mild peppers.
• You can add other vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or cabbage for extra texture and nutrition.
• Fresh octopus works even better if you have access to it.