Korean-Style Braised Sardines in Spicy Soy Sauce
These Korean-style braised sardines are a quick and flavorful dish made by simmering canned sardines in a spicy soy-based sauce with garlic, ginger, and gochujang. Served with rice and garnished with sesame seeds and spring onions, it’s a bold, comforting meal that comes together in 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
- 400g canned sardines, drained
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 spring onions, sliced (for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine soy sauce, water, sesame oil, sugar, gochujang, garlic, and ginger. Heat over medium until sugar dissolves and sauce starts to bubble.
- Add drained sardines and spoon sauce over them to coat.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Transfer sardines and sauce to a serving dish.
- Garnish with spring onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed rice.
Notes
- Use less gochujang or add honey to mellow the heat.
- Thinly sliced onions or mushrooms can be added for texture.
- Add lime or lemon juice for brightness just before serving.
- This dish tastes even better the next day—store in the fridge and reheat gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 of recipe
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
