Gaji Namul - Korean Eggplant Side Dish

Ingredients

• 4 medium-sized eggplants 4 medium-sized eggplants
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 1 green onion, thinly sliced 1 green onion, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 8g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cut the eggplants into thin strips, about 2 inches long.
2. 2.
   Sprinkle salt over the eggplant strips and let them sit for 10 minutes to remove excess moisture.
3. 3.
   Rinse the eggplants under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
4. 4.
   In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, and toasted sesame seeds.
5. 5.
   Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
6. 6.
   Add the eggplant strips to the skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes, until they become tender.
7. 7.
   Pour the sauce mixture over the eggplants and stir well to coat evenly.
8. 8.
   Cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
9. 9.
   Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions.
10. 10.
    Serve warm or chilled.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Eggplants — Make sure to choose firm and glossy eggplants without any blemishes. Salting the eggplants helps remove excess moisture and improves the texture of the dish.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to the sauce mixture.
• If you prefer a sweeter taste, increase the amount of honey in the sauce.
• Gaji Namul can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop, making it even more delicious.

Serving advice

Serve Gaji Namul as a side dish alongside a main course of Korean BBQ or rice bowls. It can also be enjoyed as a topping for bibimbap or wrapped in lettuce leaves for a refreshing wrap.

Presentation advice

Arrange the sautéed eggplant strips neatly on a serving plate and sprinkle with additional toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions for an appealing presentation.