Remove the stems from the spicy perilla peppers, wash them thoroughly, cut large ones in half, and trim small ones slightly at the ends to allow the marinade to penetrate while keeping their shape.
Remove the innards from the squid, rinse well, make fine cuts on the inside of the body, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
In a pan or pot, add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon minced garlic. Sauté over medium-low heat until golden brown without burning, releasing the aroma.
Once the garlic aroma rises, turn off the heat briefly, then add 6 tablespoons soy sauce, 5 tablespoons rice syrup molasses, 3 tablespoons mirin, and 150ml water. Turn the heat back on and bring to a boil.
When the sauce starts boiling, add all the spicy perilla peppers, mix well, reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
Uncover, place the prepared squid on top of the softened peppers, increase the heat to high, and stir continuously until the sauce thickens.
When the sauce becomes thick and sticky, add 1 tablespoon sesame oil and 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds. Continue cooking over high heat until the sauce clings tightly to the pan bottom, with no liquid remaining.
Cut the spicy perilla peppers to help the marinade soak in, and make cuts on the squid before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
Sauté garlic in a pan, then add soy sauce, rice syrup molasses, mirin, and water to boil. Add the spicy perilla peppers and simmer for 10 minutes over medium heat.
Add the prepared squid and cook over high heat until the sauce reduces completely. Finish by adding sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds.
Cooking tips 💡
For smaller spicy perilla peppers, trimming just the tip allows the seasoning to penetrate while preserving the pepper’s shape.
Do not add the squid at the beginning—adding it too early makes it tough. Instead, fully simmer the peppers first to soften them, then add the squid at the end for quick cooking.
At the final stage, vigorously reduce the sauce over high heat to evaporate moisture, ensuring the marinade clings deeply into every crevice of the squid’s cuts.
Raymon Kim's Squid and Sichuan Pepper Pasta
A Korean-style pasta with a rich oil base, made by stir-frying squid, garlic, and Sichuan peppers in a single pan