Description
Sweet Korean Eggplant is a flavorful and quick dish featuring tender eggplant strips simmered in a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce made from soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. This easy skillet recipe is perfect for a satisfying vegetarian meal served over rice, noodles, or even in tacos, garnished with fresh green onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch piece of ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon light oil (such as canola or vegetable oil)
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 eggplant, cut into thick strips, peeled if preferred
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish
- Sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine water, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, sesame oil, cornstarch, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and set aside.
- Sauté the Onion: Heat the light oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté for a few minutes until they soften and begin to brown, which will enhance their sweetness and flavor.
- Add Eggplant and Sauce: Add the thickly sliced eggplant strips to the skillet, then pour over the prepared sauce. Stir to combine, then cover the skillet with a lid to simmer the eggplant in the sauce.
- Simmer Until Tender: Let the eggplant cook for about 10 minutes covered, or until tender and much of the liquid has absorbed. If the mixture starts drying out during cooking, splash in extra water as needed to keep the eggplant moist and help it cook through.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the cooked eggplant hot over rice, quinoa, rice noodles, or alongside naan bread. Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, and sliced green onions for extra flavor and color.
Notes
- If you prefer, peel the eggplant before slicing to reduce bitterness and improve texture.
- Add more crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat if desired.
- You can customize the dish by adding proteins like tofu or chicken if you wish, though it is delicious as a vegetarian meal.
- Use light oil with a high smoke point such as canola or vegetable oil to prevent burning during sautéing.
- Serve the dish fresh to enjoy the eggplant’s tender texture and vibrant sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean