Dwaejimaekjeokgui || Grilled Soybean Paste Marinated Pork, 돼지맥적구이 Leave a comment

You’re asking about 돼지맥적구이 (dwaeji maeokjeok gui), which translates to grilled marinated pork. It’s a Korean dish of pork marinated in a savory and slightly sweet soybean paste (doenjang) based sauce and then grilled. It’s considered a traditional dish with roots going back to the Goguryeo kingdom.

Here’s a breakdown of 돼지맥적구이:

Origins and History:

The name “maekjeok” (맥적) is believed to originate from the Maek tribe (맥족), who were associated with the Goguryeo kingdom. “Jeok” (적) refers to grilled meat. So, “maekjeok” literally means “Maek tribe’s grilled meat.” This suggests the dish has a long history on the Korean peninsula.

Key Characteristics:

• Doenjang Marinade: The defining feature of maekjeok gui is the marinade, which primarily consists of doenjang (Korean soybean paste). This gives the pork a deep, savory, and umami-rich flavor.
• Pork Cuts: While traditionally other cuts might have been used, modern versions commonly use pork neck (moksal, 목살) due to its good balance of fat and lean meat, which makes it tender and juicy when grilled.
• Savory and Slightly Sweet: The marinade is typically seasoned with other ingredients like garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and sometimes a touch of sweetness from sugar or honey to balance the saltiness of the doenjang.
• Grilled: The marinated pork is grilled over a direct heat source, which can be a grill pan, barbecue grill, or even a stovetop grill pan. The grilling process gives the pork a nice char and smoky flavor.

How to Make 돼지맥적구이 (Simplified Recipe):

While there are variations, here’s a basic approach:

Ingredients:

• Pork neck (moksal), about 500g (1 lb)
• Doenjang (Korean soybean paste), 2 tablespoons
• Gochujang (Korean chili paste), 1 tablespoon (optional, for a little spice)
• Garlic, minced, 1 tablespoon
• Ginger, minced, 1 teaspoon
• Sesame oil, 1 tablespoon
• Mirin (sweet rice wine) or cooking wine, 1 tablespoon
• Sugar or honey, 1 teaspoon (optional)
• Black pepper, a pinch
• Onion, sliced (for grilling alongside the pork)
• Green onions or other vegetables (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the pork: Pat the pork dry with paper towels.
2. Make the marinade: In a bowl, combine the doenjang, gochujang (if using), garlic, ginger, sesame oil, mirin, sugar (if using), and black pepper. Mix well.
3. Marinate the pork: Coat the pork thoroughly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally for a few hours or overnight.
4. Grill the pork: Preheat your grill or grill pan. Grill the marinated pork over medium-high heat until cooked through and nicely charred, flipping occasionally. You can also grill the sliced onions alongside the pork.
5. Serve: Serve the grilled pork immediately with rice, grilled onions, and fresh vegetables like green onions or lettuce for wrapping.

Tips for a Great 돼지맥적구이:

• Marinating Time: Longer marinating time allows the flavors to penetrate the pork more deeply.
• Charring: A good char adds flavor, but be careful not to burn the pork.
• Side Dishes: Serve with classic Korean side dishes (banchan) like kimchi, pickled radish, and ssamjang (dipping sauce).
• Variations: Some recipes add fruit purees (like pear or apple) to the marinade for extra sweetness and tenderizing.

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