Maekjeok (Doenjang Marinated Pork)

Method6 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Thinly slice the meat (about 1/4-inch thick), if not pre-sliced.

   Uses 1 pound pork (Boston butt or loin), thinly sliced (about 1/4-inch thick)

   
2. 2

   Step 2: Mix the pork marinade: its 1 1/2 Tbsp doenjang, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp rice wine/mirin, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp selected honey/syrup, grated onion (2 tablespoons), 1 Tbsp minced garlic, grated ginger (1 teaspoon), 1 tsp vinegar/lemon juice, 1 Tbsp sesame oil and pepper (to taste) to taste. Separately make the ssamjang by mixing its 1 Tbsp gochujang, 2 Tbsp doenjang (or to taste), 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp sugar and 2 tsp sesame oil. Thin the dipping sauce with the optional 1 Tbsp water or soda only if needed.

   Uses 1 1/2 tbsp doenjang for pork marinade · 1 tablespoon soy sauce · 2 tablespoons rice wine or mirin (or other white wine) · 1 tablespoon sugar · 1 tablespoon honey, rice syrup (jocheong, 조청), or oligo dang (올리고당) (or Maesil cheong (매실청), green plum extract ) · 2 tablespoons grated onion · 1 tablespoon minced garlic · 1 teaspoon finely grated ginger

   
3. 3

   Step 3: Coat the prepared pork slices evenly with the marinade and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

   Refrigerate pork at least 30 minutes · 30 minUses Thin pork slices · Prepared pork marinade

   
4. 4

   Step 4: For the optional vegetable bed, cut garlic chives (with minari if selected) into 2–3-inch lengths, OR thinly slice the separate medium onion (1 medium) instead. Heat 1 Tbsp cooking oil in a skillet, stir-fry the selected vegetables until slightly wilted, season with salt (to taste) to taste and transfer to a plate.

   Uses 4 ounces buchu (garlic chives, (or mix with minari)) · 1 medium onion, thinly sliced, instead of garlic-chive bed · salt to taste · 1 tbsp cooking oil for optional vegetable bed

   
5. 5

   Step 5: Heat a grill pan or a skillet over medium high heat and add the pork slices. Immediately lower the heat to medium. The marinade will burn if the heat is too high. Cook until the pork is cooked through and slightly caramelized, one to two minutes each side. Turn over a couple of times to prevent the marinade from burning.

   Uses Marinated pork

   
6. 6

   Step 6: Serve on a bed of the optional stir-fried vegetables along with the vegetables for the wraps and ssamjang.

   Uses Cooked pork · Optional stir-fried chives OR onion · 1–2 heads red or green leaf lettuce for wraps · 10–15 perilla leaves for optional wraps · crown daisy (ssukgat, 쑥갓) - optional · Prepared ssamjang dipping sauce