Ultimate Yusanseul Stir-Fry: A Savory Feast Over Rice for Two

Yusanseul (or Yusanseul-bap) is a delicious Chinese-style stir-fry dish made with a variety of ingredients like seafood, meat, and vegetables, served over rice. Here’s how to prepare a flavorful version for two servings!

Ingredients (For 2 Servings)

• Shrimp: 100g (peeled and deveined)
• Pork loin: 100g (thinly sliced)
• Squid: 100g (cleaned and sliced into rings)
• Carrot: 1/2 (thinly sliced)
• Bamboo shoots: 50g (sliced)
• Wood ear mushrooms: 30g (rehydrated if using dried)
• Shiitake mushrooms: 2-3 (sliced)
• Green bell pepper: 1/2 (sliced)
• Onion: 1/2 (thinly sliced)
• Garlic: 2 cloves (minced)
• Chicken broth: 1 cup
• Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Oyster sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon (mixed with 2 tablespoons of water to make a slurry)
• Sesame oil: 1 teaspoon
• Cooking oil: 2 tablespoons (for stir-frying)
• Cooked rice: 2 servings
• Salt and pepper: To taste

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Step-by-Step Yusanseul Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

• Clean and slice all the vegetables and proteins (shrimp, pork, squid).
• Rehydrate the wood ear mushrooms if using dried ones by soaking them in warm water for 20 minutes, then slice them.
• Tip*: Make sure all ingredients are prepped and ready before cooking since stir-frying happens quickly!

Step 2: Cook the Proteins

• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
• Stir-fry the shrimp, pork, and squid separately until they are just cooked through. Set them aside.
• Tip*: Avoid overcooking the seafood and pork, as they will become tough.

Step 3: Stir-Fry the Vegetables

• In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.
• Add the carrots, bamboo shoots, onions, bell pepper, wood ear mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms.
• Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender but still crisp.
• Tip*: Stir-fry on high heat for the best texture and color in your vegetables.

Step 4: Add the Sauce

• Pour the chicken broth into the pan with the vegetables.
• Add the soy sauce and oyster sauce, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
• Tip*: Adjust the amount of soy sauce and oyster sauce based on your salt preference.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

• Once the broth and vegetables are simmering, return the cooked proteins to the pan.
• Stir everything together and pour in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
• Stir continuously until the sauce thickens and coats all the ingredients.
• Tip*: The cornstarch slurry will give the sauce a glossy finish. Add it gradually to control the thickness.

Step 6: Finish with Sesame Oil

• Drizzle sesame oil over the stir-fry before turning off the heat to add a rich aroma and flavor.
• Tip*: Sesame oil is highly fragrant, so it’s best to add it at the end to preserve its flavor.

Step 7: Serve Over Rice

• Serve the stir-fried yusanseul over a bed of steamed rice.
• Enjoy the delicious combination of tender meats, seafood, vegetables, and savory sauce!
• Tip*: Garnish with chopped scallions or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture.

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Bonus Tips for the Best Yusanseul:

• Prepare everything in advance: Stir-frying happens quickly, so have all your ingredients chopped and ready before you start cooking.
• Cook proteins separately: This prevents overcooking and ensures each ingredient retains its distinct texture and flavor.
• Customize your vegetables: Feel free to use other vegetables like baby corn, snow peas, or bok choy depending on your taste.
• Balance the sauce: Taste the sauce as you go and adjust the saltiness or sweetness to your liking. A little sugar can also be added if you prefer a slightly sweet note.

Enjoy your Yusanseul-bap, a perfect balance of savory flavors and textures, served with hot steamed rice!