This Man's Cook Spiced Perilla Leaf Stew

Ingredients needed 🛒6 servings

• perilla leaves 100 sheets
• onion 1/2 medium
• white part of green onion (half the amount of minced onion)
• green chili pepper 1
• red chili pepper 1
• soy sauce 1/2 cup (100ml)
• water 1/2 cup (100ml)
• mirin 5 tablespoons
• kelp 1 piece (5x5cm)
• plum syrup 3 tablespoons
• malt syrup 4 tablespoons
• minced garlic 1 tablespoon
• red pepper powder 1 teaspoon
• sesame seeds 2 tablespoons
• sesame oil 1 tablespoon

Recipe 🍳

Cooking tips 💡

• Using raw perilla leaves without blanching results in a tough texture and overpowering aroma. Blanching for just 1 minute softens the structure and optimizes the mouthfeel.
• When squeezing moisture, press evenly with the entire palm to keep the leaves intact—this ensures clean layering and easy portioning later.
• Instead of corn syrup or honey, using 'malt syrup' available in supermarket seasoning aisles brings a subtle, luxurious depth of sweetness to the sauce.