Hongeojjim || Steamed Skate, 蒸斑鳐, 蒸斑鰩, ガンギエイの蒸し物, 홍어찜 1

Hongeojjim is a unique Korean dish that features steamed skate fish. It’s known for its strong, pungent smell, which can be quite off-putting to some. However, for those who appreciate its distinct flavor, it’s a true delicacy.

Yields: Approximately 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 Honggeo (fermented skate) – approximately 1.5kg
• 1 egg
• 5 cloud ear mushrooms
• 3 scallions
• A few red chili peppers
• Pine nuts
• Salt, mirin (sweet rice wine)

For the soy sauce:

• 6 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons chopped green onion
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Honggeo: Clean the Honggeo by removing the skin and any unwanted parts. Cut into approximately 4cm pieces. Sprinkle with mirin and salt, and let it marinate.
2. Dry the Honggeo: Place the marinated Honggeo on a steamer rack and let it dry for about 2 days until it becomes firm.
3. Prepare the garnishes: Separate the egg whites and yolks. Make thin omelets with each. Cut both the omelets and the cloud ear mushrooms into thin strips. Cut the scallions into thin pieces.
4. Steam the Honggeo: Place a damp cloth on the steamer rack. Arrange the dried Honggeo on the cloth. Steam until nearly cooked. Top with the prepared egg omelet strips, cloud ear mushrooms, scallions, red chili peppers, and pine nuts. Steam for a few more minutes until the garnishes are heated through.
5. Prepare the soy sauce: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, chopped green onion, minced garlic, and toasted sesame seeds.

Serve: Transfer the steamed Honggeo to a serving plate and pour the soy sauce over it.

Notes:

• Honggeo: Honggeo is a Korean fermented skate with a strong, pungent smell.
• Mirin: Mirin is a sweet rice wine used in Japanese and Korean cooking to add sweetness and umami.
• Cloud ear mushrooms: Also known as wood ear mushrooms, they have a chewy texture and are commonly used in Asian cuisine.
• Steaming time: The exact steaming time will depend on the thickness of the Honggeo and the desired level of doneness.

Tips:

• To reduce the strong odor of the Honggeo, you can rinse it with cold water several times before cooking.
• For a spicier dish, add more red chili peppers or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the soy sauce.
• Serve with steamed rice and other Korean side dishes for a complete meal.

Note to English speakers: Honggeo has a very strong and unique flavor that may be overwhelming for some people. It’s a very regional dish in Korea and is considered a delicacy by many Koreans but can be quite polarizing due to its strong smell and flavor.