Crispy Tangsuyuk - Korean Sweet & Sour Pork

Today, let’s make extra crispy Korean sweet and sour pork — Tangsuyuk!

This is a recipe I've settled on after trying several versions from Korean-Chinese restaurant chefs.You don't have to go to Korea to enjoy this dish - with this recipe you can make super crispy and delicious tangsuyuk right at home.

Servings 2 people

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

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Equipment

1 frying deep wok
1 mesh strainer
1 Mixing bowl
some Spoons
1 Knife & cutting board
1 Tongs
1 saucepan

Ingredients

pork

300 g pork lion or tenderloin
1 pinch salt
1 pinch MSG
5 turns black pepper

Starch Batter

1 cup potato starch
1 cup water
4 tbsp cooking oil (plus more if needed)
1/2 egg white

Tangsuyuk Sacue

180 ml water
2 tbsp Korean soy sauce
3 tbsp vinegar
3.5 tbsp sugar
30 g cucumber
30 g carrot
30 g onion

Thickener (Slurry)

3 tbsp water
1 tbsp potato starch

Instructions

Mix 1 cup of potato starch with 1 cup of water and let it sit for 20 minutes until the starch settles at the bottom. Carefully pour out the water, keeping only the starch layer.
Slice the pork into pieces about 1cm thick and 4cm long. Season with salt, MSG (if using), and pepper.
Cut the vegetables for the sauce—slice the cucumber, carrot, and onion into thin pieces.
To the settled starch, add 4 tbsp cooking oil and 1/2 egg white. Mix until it reaches a mayonnaise-like consistency. If needed, add a bit more oil to adjust the thickness. Check the thickness in the Youtube video.
Add the pork to the starch batter and coat well.
Heat oil to 180°C (355°F). Using your hands, clump the battered pork and drop into the hot oil. Fry for about 5 minutes.
After 1 minute, gently separate any pieces that are sticking together.
Once done, remove from the oil and fry a second time for extra crispiness.
To make the sauce, combine water, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar in a pan. Bring to a boil, then add the vegetables.
Add the starch slurry (3 tbsp water + 1 tbsp potato starch) a little at a time while stirring, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.