Deodeok Gui

About the dish

Deodeok is a root so fragrant and nourishing that Koreans call it 'meat of the mountains.' Pounded flat, brushed with a gochujang seasoning and grilled, deodeok-gui turns aromatic and pleasantly chewy — a dish that graced temple kitchens and feast tables alike.

Key ingredient

Mountain bellflower root (deodeok) — soothes coughs and phlegm, easing bronchitis and asthma; it also aids the stomach, helps clear toxins and harmful cholesterol, and is credited with boosting lactation, fatigue recovery and focus. In season in April, mainly from Jeongseon.

Ingredients

Main: deodeok, sesame oil · Seasoning: gochujang, soy sauce, minced garlic, starch syrup, sesame seeds

Simple recipe

1. Peel the deodeok, split it in half and pound it flat with a mallet.
2. Soak in salted water to draw out the bitterness.
3. Season first with sesame oil and soy sauce and give it an initial grilling.
4. Brush on the gochujang seasoning and grill again.
5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve fragrant.

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