Chewy and Savory Muneo Jjim (Steamed Octopus)
Steamed octopus cooked moist in a steamer after thoroughly cleaning out the innards and slimy residue.
Translated from Korean by AI and not yet checked by a native speaker. Amounts and numbers are taken directly from the original recipe. Read the Korean original →
This steamed octopus recipe brings out the natural flavor of octopus by carefully cleaning out the innards and impurities before cooking it in a steamer. Steaming rather than blanching in boiling water keeps the delicious flavors from leaching out. With its chewy, savory texture, it makes a great accompaniment for drinks.
- Cook time
- 15 minprep not included
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Spiciness
- Not spicy
Ingredients
- Octopus
- Salt1 handful
- Adding a handful of salt, rubbing vigorously, and stripping down along the tentacles with your hand will pull out the impurities from the suckers and remove the slime, eliminating any fishy smell.
Steps
1. If you look at the back of the octopus head, there is a connecting section.
2. Cut this part with kitchen shears so you can turn it inside out.
3
3. Once turned inside out, the innards are attached.
4. The head and innards are connected by a membrane; pull with both hands to separate them.
5
5. The last bit will not come off by hand, so snip it with shears.
6. Now it is completely separated.
7
7. Cut out both eyes of the octopus with shears.
8. Cut out the mouth located between the octopus legs as well.
9
9. Add a handful of salt...
10. Rub vigorously with your hands.
Doing this thoroughly removes any debris in the suckers and draws out the slime,
eliminating any fishy odor.
11
11. Strip down the tentacles with your hands as if pulling, to work out the slime and impurities.
12. Rinse thoroughly under running water.
To cook octopus, you can either blanch it in boiling water or steam it.
I always steam it so fewer of the octopus's flavorful juices escape.
Place the octopus in a steamer that is boiling vigorously with steam rising, and steam for 10 to 15 minutes.
The red color of the fully cooked octopus looks so appetizing.
Ppunwife's tips
- To prevent the flavorful juices from leaching out, it is best to steam the octopus in a steaming basket once the steam is up rather than blanching it in boiling water.
FAQ
Why steam the octopus in a steamer instead of blanching it?
Cooking it in a steamer instead of blanching it in water prevents the octopus's own flavorful juices from leaching out as much.
Why rub the octopus with salt when cleaning it?
Rubbing it vigorously with salt cleanly removes impurities from the suckers and gets rid of the slimy residue, eliminating any fishy smell.
How long should you steam the octopus in the steamer?
Place it in a steamer where the water is boiling vigorously and steam has risen, then steam for about 10 to 15 minutes.
