10ouncestender cut of pork or beef (such as pork loin or beef sirloin)
salt and pepper
1/2teaspoongrated ginger
Batter
1cuppotato starchor corn starch, soaked in 1 cup of water for 2 to 3 hours
2tablespoonslightly beaten egg
1tablespooncanola oil
4cupscanola or vegetable oil for deep frying
Vegetables -- See note
1/2small carrot
1/4small onion
1 ouncewood ear mushrooms - optional
1/2small cucumberor 1/4 green bell pepper
Tangsuyuk Sauce
1cupwater
1tablespoonsoy sauce
4 tablespoonssugar
2tablespoonsvinegar (or to taste)
pinchsalt
Starch slurry – 2 tablespoons starch* in 4 tablespoons water
Dipping sauce - optional
1tablespoonsoy sauce
1tablespoonwater
1teaspoonvinegar
pinchblack pepper
pinchred chili pepper flakesgochugaru
Instructions
At least an hour before cooking this dish, combine 1 cup of the starch with 1 cup of water and refrigerate until ready to use. The starch and water will separate, and you will need to pour out the water on top to use the soaked starch at the bottom.
Cut the beef (or pork) into 2 to 2.5-inch long strips (about 3/4-inch wide and ⅛ - inch thick). Mix well with the grated ginger, and lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper. Let it sit until ready to deep fry.
Prepare the vegetables by cutting into thin bite size pieces.
In a pan, add 1 cup of water along with the remaining sauce ingredients except the starch slurry. Boil just until the sugar melts and turn off the heat. You will finish the sauce when the meat has been deep fried.
Carefully pour out the soaking water from the starch. Use your hand to mix the soaked starch with the egg and oil. The starch will be very stiff. The addition of oil will help loosen it a little.
Coat the meat with the starch batter.
Add 4 cups of oil to a deep fryer, wok or large pot. Heat over high heat to 350°F. Using metal tongs or chopsticks, drop the meat in the oil one piece at a time. Do not crowd the oil. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes, in two or three batches, reheating the oil to 350°F between the batches.
Remove them with a wire skimmer or a slotted spoon. Drain on a wire rack or in a large mesh strainer set on a bowl.
Reheat the oil to 350°F. Add the meat (you can do this in one batch for the second frying) and deep fry again for 2 to 3 minute. Drain on a wire rack or in a large mesh strainer set on a bowl.
Bring the sauce to a boil again. Add the carrot, onion, and optional mushrooms, which take slightly longer to cook than the green vegetable. When the sauce boils, add the starch slurry, stirring well. Taste the sauce and add a little more sugar or vinegar if desired. Turn the heat off, and then add the cucumber slices (or green pepper if using). The green vegetables lose their color quickly if boiled in the sauce.
Place the meat on a large serving plate and pour the tangsuyuk sauce on top or serve the sauce on the side. Serve immediately with the optional dipping sauce.
Notes
Red and green peppers and green peas are also good options. You can also add a few bite size fruit slices, such as pineapple or apple, at the end of cooking.