Description
Korean Braised Potatoes (Gamja Jorim) is a flavorful side dish featuring tender baby potatoes braised in a savory-sweet glaze made with soy sauce, honey, garlic, and sesame oil. The potatoes are first boiled until tender, then pan-fried to a golden crisp before being simmered in a delicious glaze that thickens into a glossy coating. Garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions, this dish is a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors perfect for complementing any Korean meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 1 1/2 lb baby potatoes
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
Glaze & Seasoning
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, ground
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 cup water
For Cooking & Garnish
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 stalk green onion, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the glaze: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, mirin, sesame oil, black pepper, and water. Mix thoroughly to create the glaze that will coat the potatoes.
- Boil the potatoes: Place the baby potatoes in a pot and cover with water along with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Bring to a boil and cook for 12-15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Pan-fry the potatoes: Drain the boiled potatoes and heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the potatoes and fry them until they develop a golden brown crust on all sides, turning occasionally for even color.
- Simmer with glaze: Pour the prepared glaze over the fried potatoes in the skillet. Reduce heat to low and let the potatoes simmer, stirring occasionally, until the glaze thickens and becomes glossy, about 5-6 minutes. This will help the potatoes absorb the flavors fully.
- Garnish and serve: Transfer the glazed potatoes to a serving dish. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the top for added flavor and visual appeal. Serve warm as a savory side dish.
Notes
- Use baby potatoes or small new potatoes for best texture and flavor absorption.
- The vinegar in the boiling water helps keep the potatoes intact while cooking.
- You can adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of honey to your taste.
- Mirin adds a subtle sweetness and depth but can be omitted or substituted with a small amount of sugar if unavailable.
- Serve as a side dish with rice and other Korean dishes such as kimchi or grilled meats.
