Maekjeok (Doenjang Marinated Pork)

This doenjang marinated pork is another great option for your Korean BBQ. The salty, savory doenjang adds a deep umami flavor to the pork without overpowering it.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 pound pork (Boston butt or loin), thinly sliced (about 1/4-inch thick)
• 1.5 tablespoons doenjang, 된장, Korean fermented soybean paste
• 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
• 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• pepper to taste
• 4 ounces buchu (garlic chives, (or mix with minari))
• If unavailable, substitute with 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• salt to taste
• oil for stir-frying
• 1 or 2 heads of red or green leaf lettuce
• 10 to 15 perilla leaves (kkaennip, 깻잎) - optional
• crown daisy (ssukgat, 쑥갓) - optional
• 1 tablespoon gochujang, Korean red chili pepper paste
• 2 tablespoons doenjang, Korean soybean paste (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• If the sauce is too thick, use a tablespoon of water or soda to thin it.

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Thinly slice the meat (about 1/4-inch thick), if not pre-sliced.
2. 2Combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
3. 3Add the meat, and mix well until evenly coated. Marinate at least for 30 minutes.
4. 4Cut the optional vegetables into 2 - 3 inch lengths. Heat a skillet with a tablespoon of oil, and briefly stir-fry the vegetables until slightly wilted. Salt to taste. Transfer to a plate.
5. 5Heat 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.
6. 6Serve on a bed of the optional stir-fried vegetables along with the vegetables for the wraps and ssamjang.