Korean Spicy Pork (Dwaeji Bulgogi)

This is the louder, rowdier cousin of classic bulgogi. Instead of sweet soy and restraint, you get gochujang heat, garlic, and that unmistakable Korean depth that clings to every piece of pork.

It’s fast, aggressive, and ridiculously satisfying — the kind of dish that hits hard with rice, wraps perfectly in lettuce, or stands on its own with a cold beer.

Servings
3
Prep Time
15
mins
Cook Time
10
mins
Ingredients
11
Total Time
25
mins

Pantry bits

  • Gochujang (Korean chilli paste)
  • Soy sauce
  • Sesame oil

Ingredients

  • 400g pork shoulder (thinly sliced)
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tbsp ginger (minced)
  • 1/2 onion (sliced)
  • 1/2 carrot (julienned)
  • 1 spring onion (chopped)
  • 1 tsp chilli flakes (optional, for extra heat)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • Lettuce leaves (to serve)
  • Steamed rice (to serve)

Instructions

  1. Make the marinade
  2. In a bowl, mix gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, garlic, and ginger into a thick, punchy paste.
  3. Coat the pork
  4. Add the sliced pork and massage the marinade through.
  5. Leave for at least 10 minutes (or up to overnight if you’re organised).
  6. Heat things up
  7. Get a wok or frying pan screaming hot with vegetable oil.
  8. Cook the pork
  9. Add the pork in a single layer. Let it char slightly before tossing — this is where the flavour lives.
  10. Add the veg
  11. Throw in onion and carrot. Stir-fry for another 2–3 minutes until everything is glossy and slightly caramelised.
  12. Finish
  13. Toss through spring onion and chilli flakes (if using).
  14. Serve
  15. Pile onto rice or wrap in lettuce with a bit of extra sauce.

Notes:

  • Pork shoulder is ideal — enough fat to stay juicy and take on the sauce
  • If you can find pre-sliced pork belly, even better (more indulgent, more “badboy”)
  • High heat = better caramelisation = better flavour

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