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4.8 from 93 votes

Maekjeok (Doenjang Marinated Pork)

This doenjang marinated pork is another great option for your Korean BBQ. The salty, savory doenjang adds a deep umami flavor to the pork without overpowering it. 

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Korean

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pork (Boston butt or loin), thinly sliced (about 1/4-inch thick)
For the marinade:
  • 1.5 tablespoons doenjang, 된장, Korean fermented soybean paste
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine or mirin or other white wine
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey, rice syrup (jocheong, 조청), or oligo dang (올리고당) or Maesil cheong (매실청), green plum extract
  • 2 tablespoons grated onion
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic 
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • pepper to taste
Optional vegetables:
  • 4 ounces buchu garlic chives, (or mix with minari)
  • If unavailable, substitute with 1 medium  onion, thinly sliced
  • salt to taste
  • oil for stir-frying
For the wraps:
  • 1 or 2 heads of red or green leaf lettuce
  • 10 to 15 perilla leaves (kkaennip, 깻잎) - optional
  • crown daisy (ssukgat, 쑥갓) - optional
Ssamjang (sauce for wraps) - mix everything well
  • 1 tablespoon gochujang, Korean red chili pepper paste
  • 2 tablespoons doenjang, Korean soybean paste or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic 
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • If the sauce is too thick, use a tablespoon of water or soda to thin it.

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Thinly slice the meat (about 1/4-inch thick), if not pre-sliced.
  2. Combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
  3. Add the meat, and mix well until evenly coated. Marinate at least for 30 minutes.
  4. Cut the optional vegetables into 2 - 3 inch lengths. Heat a skillet with a tablespoon of oil, and briefly stir-fry the vegetables until slightly wilted. Salt to taste. Transfer to a plate.
  5. Heat a grill pan or a skillet over medium high heat and add the pork slices. Immediately lower the heat to medium. The marinade will burn if the heat is too high. Cook until the pork is cooked through and slightly caramelized, one to two minutes each side. Turn over a couple of times to prevent the marinade from burning.
  6. Serve on a bed of the optional stir-fried vegetables along with the vegetables for the wraps and ssamjang.