Samgyeopsal Gyeran-mari (삼겹살 계란말이) with Pickled Cabbage
This dish features a rolled omelet made with grilled pork belly (삼겹살), soft eggs, and spicy Cheongyang chili peppers (청양고추), served with sweet, sour, and crunchy pickled cabbage.
📝 Editor's Notes
This Samgyeopsal Gyeran-mari (삼겹살 계란말이) recipe is a fantastic blend of savory grilled pork belly, soft eggs, and the spiciness of Cheongyang chili peppers. When served with sweet, sour, and crunchy pickled cabbage, it balances the richness and adds a refreshing harmony of flavors. The process of grilling the pork belly and preparing the egg mixture is relatively simple, making it a medium-low difficulty dish suitable for beginner cooks. It's excellent as a hearty anju (술안주, Korean drinking snack), a main side dish for special occasions, or a dish to impress guests. It also makes for a satisfying meal when served with warm rice.
🛒 Ingredient Tips
For this dish, it's crucial to select fresh pork belly (삼겹살) with a good balance of fat and lean meat. Too much fat can make it greasy, while too much lean meat can make it tough. Using refrigerated pork belly will result in a more tender texture. Choose fresh eggs with smooth, unbroken shells, and take them out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking to make whisking easier. For the cabbage, select firm, heavy heads with small cores to ensure a crisp and sweet flavor. For pickling, thinly slicing the cabbage allows it to absorb the seasoning better and enhances the texture.
🔄 Substitution Guide
You can substitute pork belly (삼겹살) with pork shoulder or beef brisket. Pork shoulder, being leaner than pork belly, is good for those who prefer a lighter taste, while beef brisket cooks quickly due to its thinness and adds a rich, savory flavor. However, please remember that the texture and taste may differ. If you prefer to avoid meat, you can use finely chopped chicken breast or mushrooms for a clean and healthy omelet. If you dislike spiciness or are serving children, you can replace Cheongyang chili peppers (청양고추) with minced green onion, onion, or bell peppers to add color and a crisp texture. If you don't have fermented shrimp brine (새우젓) or are concerned about its strong flavor, you can substitute it with fish sauce or salt, although the unique umami flavor of fermented shrimp brine may be slightly diminished.
🥘 Ingredients
👨🍳 Cooking Points
The most important aspects of this dish are the crispness of the pickled cabbage and the tenderness of the Samgyeopsal Gyeran-mari (삼겹살 계란말이). First, slice the cabbage as thinly as possible, marinate it, and then squeeze out all excess water by hand to maintain its crisp texture. If water remains, the pickled cabbage will taste bland and become soft. Second, grill the pork belly (삼겹살) over medium-high heat until golden brown, making sure to remove enough fat so the omelet isn't greasy. Wiping off oil with a paper towel occasionally is essential. Third, after pouring in the egg mixture, reduce the heat to low and stir gently as the eggs begin to curdle and set. This is the secret to a tender omelet. Be careful not to cook it over too high heat, as the eggs can burn quickly or become tough. Finally, turn off the heat before the omelet is fully cooked and let the residual heat finish the cooking for an even more moist result.
👨🍳 Directions
- 1
Thinly slice 7 oz (200g) of cabbage, then wash thoroughly, shake off excess water, and place in a bowl.
- 2
Add 0.5 tsp coarse salt, 1 tbsp sugar, and 2 tbsp vinegar to the sliced cabbage. Mix well by hand and let it marinate for 10 minutes.
- 3
Cut 5.3 oz (150g) of pork belly (삼겹살) into appropriate-sized pieces, season with a pinch of salt and 1 tbsp Soju (소주).
- 4
Heat an empty pan over medium-high heat. Add all the seasoned pork belly and grill until golden brown and thoroughly cooked through.
- 5
Crack 3 eggs into a bowl, add 3 tbsp Soju (소주) and 1 tbsp fermented shrimp brine (새우젓), and whisk until completely smooth without any lumps to make the egg mixture.
- 6
Pour the whisked egg mixture over the grilled pork belly in the pan. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring gently until the eggs begin to curdle and set.
- 7
Once the eggs are partially set, generously sprinkle with 2 minced Cheongyang chili peppers (청양고추) as a garnish. Quickly flip the omelet, immediately turn off the heat, and finish cooking the other side with the residual heat.
- 8
Squeeze out excess water from the marinated cabbage by hand.
- 9
Serve the cooked Samgyeopsal Gyeran-mari (삼겹살 계란말이) on a plate, garnished with the squeezed pickled cabbage to complete the dish.
💡 Tips
If too much oil is rendered while grilling the pork belly (삼겹살), wipe it off with a paper towel during cooking.
Instead of Cheongyang chili peppers (청양고추) for garnish, you can use minced green onion or minced onion.
For a better texture, you can slice the pork belly a bit thicker according to your preference.
📦 Storage & Reuse
The finished Samgyeopsal Gyeran-mari (삼겹살 계란말이) can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 2-3 days. However, as the omelet may lose moisture and become a bit dry over time, it is best enjoyed as soon as possible. To reheat, microwave for about 1 minute or gently warm in a pan over low heat. Be careful not to overheat, as the eggs can become tough. Leftover pickled cabbage can be used as a fresh topping for salads or other meat dishes. Any leftover pork belly can be used in kimchi jjigae (김치찌개, kimchi stew) or fried rice for another delicious meal.
🥢 Who This Is For
We highly recommend this Samgyeopsal Gyeran-mari (삼겹살 계란말이) to meat lovers, especially those who enjoy trying new flavor combinations. The harmony of savory and rich pork belly, soft eggs, and spicy Cheongyang chili peppers (청양고추) is superb, making it a great accompaniment to a hearty meal or an excellent pairing with a cold beer or makgeolli (막걸리, Korean rice wine). How about preparing it for a guest dinner or a special weekend meal? For complementary dishes, we recommend warm rice and a clean seaweed soup (미역국) or a savory doenjang jjigae (된장찌개, fermented soybean paste stew). You'll enjoy a satisfying and fulfilling meal.
🔥 Nutrition Info
This Samgyeopsal Gyeran-mari (삼겹살 계란말이) with Pickled Cabbage is estimated to be approximately 450-550 kcal per serving. It provides about 35-45g of protein and 35-45g of fat from the pork belly (삼겹살) and eggs, with approximately 15-20g of carbohydrates from the cabbage and a small amount of sugar. Pork belly is rich in B vitamins and iron, aiding in energy production and preventing anemia. Eggs, often called a 'complete food,' are packed with protein, Vitamin D, lutein, and various other nutrients. Cabbage is high in Vitamin C and dietary fiber, promoting immune health and intestinal well-being. Please note that fermented shrimp brine (새우젓) has a high sodium content, so it's best to adjust the amount according to your preference.
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