Dwaeji Bulgogi

Dwaeiji Bulgogi (also sometimes spelled Daeji Bulgogi) is a spicy (though not overly spicy) Korean pork recipe featuring thin slices of pork shoulder that are marinated for 30 minutes (or overnight if you'd like to make this dish a day in advance) in a flavor-packed thick sauce made with Asian spices, then briefly stir-fried. The Asian spices include red pepper powder, soy sauce sesame oil and mirin. A modest amount of sugar is added, adding a nice contrast to the heat of this dish, while a generous amount of minced garlic is also added, bringing powerful flavor. If you are not familiar with red pepper powder, be forewarned - red pepper powder is not the same as cayenne pepper! Red pepper powder (also sometimes referred to as Korean chili powder) is a mildly spicy powder found in Asian markets or international grocery stores that usually comes in a clear bag with Korean labeling. Red pepper powder (or sometimes red pepper flakes) is commonly used when making kimchi, a fermented Korean dish made with vegetables (usually cabbage) and seasonings). To save time, you might want to simply ask someone in the store where they stock their red pepper powder. If you haven't yet stepped inside one of these stores, I highly recommended doing so, because the large variety of spices and other ingredients will inspire you! These stores also usually carry other products found in traditional grocery stores at a substantially lower cost. Mirin is a liquid condiment commonly used in Japanese cuisine, and is usually found in glass or plastic jars. It is much like rice wine, though has a lower alcohol content. You can find mirin in most grocery stores in the international food isle, or at Asian or international markets. Not only is this dish full of flavor, it is unbelievably easy to make and cooks in less than 5 minutes!