Gochujang Marinated Pork Rib Recipe

​​Susan Yoon

One meat dish that cannot go unappreciated in Korean cuisine is “doeji kalbi,” gochujang marinated pork ribs. I grew up eating doeji kalbi at a small restaurant chain named Ham Ji Park (Los Angeles), which specializes in it along with a few other pork dishes.

I still remember the aroma of the pork cooking when walking into the dining room for a down-home meal. The chile marinated meat and charred bits coming together in a single bite is a gustatory pleasure that is hard to forget.

My home version is so easy to make though — you’ll be able to recreate this dish at home with little effort and high reward.

Ingredients

  • 2.25 pounds pork spare ribs
  • ¼ medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • ⅓ cup gochujang (plus 1 tablespoon gochujang for glaze)
  • 2 tablespoons gochugaru (chili pepper)
  • ¼ cup rice syrup
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, roughly chopped
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons cup soy sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Directions

spices

Step 1

In a blender, combine all ingredients except pork. Blend until smooth.

marinating kalbi

Step 2

Portion the rib rack in halves or thirds and place in a baking pan. Pour the marinade (saving ¼ cup for glazing later) over the ribs, making sure every part is covered. Cover and marinate overnight.

roasting kalbi

Step 3

Next day, preheat the oven to 275 F. Remove rib sections from the marinade pan and wrap each piece tightly in foil. Bake in the oven for 2.5 to 3 hours until ribs are tender but not falling apart. Remove the ribs from the oven.

completed roasted kalbi

Step 4

Switch oven setting to broil. Remove pork ribs from the foil and place on a foil-lined sheet tray, meat side up. Mix the remaining glaze with 1 tablespoon gochujang and cover the meat evenly. Broil until caramelized. Slice into individual ribs and enjoy!

Serving suggestion: Freshly steamed short-grain rice and kimchi.

Pairing idea

Aiyu plum sake bottle

Since spring is around the corner, “umeshu” (plum sake) came to mind as a pairing with the spicy pork ribs. Spring is ume season, and the unripe fruits are picked to be turned into umeshu. The smell of the freshly-picked ume is the smell of spring — bright and floral with fruity plum notes.

For pairing with the pork ribs, I suggest Aiyu “Plum Sake,” brewed with Shiro-Kaga plums in Ibaraki prefecture. Lightly sweet and balanced with a natural sourness typical of ume, this makes a great beverage choice for the spicy pork ribs. The umeshu is so refreshing, while the fruity notes complement the spicy notes. Try it on the rocks and if you fancy a splash of club soda. This is a recipe and pairing to remember for the beautiful sunny days to come!

Visit the Sake Guide to learn more about sake.

​​Susan Yoon

​​Susan Yoon

Susan has spent the last 10 years working as a chef in Los Angeles at some of its most lauded restaurants including Orsa & Winston, 71 Above and n/naka. She found her passion in sake along the way and is currently pursuing a Sake Sommelier Certification. You can sometimes find her picking up street tacos and enjoying them with a warm kimoto sake.

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