Korean-style Grilled Pork Skewers

Ingredients

While the original Greek Souvlaki uses a marinade with Mediterranean flavors like lemon, garlic, and oregano, this Korean adaptation incorporates a marinade with Korean ingredients such as soy sauce, ginger, and gochujang (Korean chili paste). The grilling technique remains the same, but the flavors are transformed to create a unique fusion dish. We alse have the original recipe for Souvlaki, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) pork shoulder, cut into bite-sized pieces 500g (1.1 lb) pork shoulder, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Nutrition

• Calories: 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat: 16g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
• Carbohydrates: 6g (Sugars: 4g)
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine soy sauce, gochujang, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, vegetable oil, black pepper, and salt. Mix well to make the marinade.
2. 2.
   Place the pork pieces in a ziplock bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring all pieces are coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
3. 3.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. 4.
   Thread the marinated pork onto the soaked bamboo skewers.
5. 5.
   Grill the skewers for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the pork is cooked through and slightly charred.
6. 6.
   Remove from the grill and let the skewers rest for a few minutes before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pork shoulder — Choose a well-marbled cut of pork shoulder for juicy and tender skewers.
• Gochujang — Adjust the amount of gochujang according to your spice preference. Add more for a spicier flavor or reduce for a milder taste.
• Bamboo skewers — Soaking the skewers in water prevents them from burning during grilling.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, baste the skewers with the marinade while grilling.
• Serve the skewers with a side of steamed rice and kimchi for a complete Korean meal.
• If you don't have a grill, you can also cook the skewers on a stovetop grill pan or in the oven under the broiler.
• Feel free to substitute pork with chicken or beef if desired.
• To make it more authentic, serve the skewers with ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce) and lettuce wraps.

Serving advice

Serve the Korean-style grilled pork skewers hot off the grill as a main course. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added freshness and visual appeal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the skewers on a platter, placing them diagonally for an attractive presentation. Serve with a side of steamed rice and kimchi to complete the Korean experience.