Gamja Bokkeum (Stir-Fried Potato Matchsticks) with Spam
A side dish made with thick-cut parboiled potatoes stir-fried with savory Spam and a gentle garlic aroma.
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 →
Thickly sliced potato matchsticks are briefly blanched in boiling water to remove excess starch and shorten cooking time. Crisped Spam is infused with the aroma of minced garlic, then tossed with the potatoes over high heat in a quick stir-fry. Low in moisture, this dish stays pleasantly crisp without turning soggy.
- Servings
- about 3–4 servingsOriginal: 2 plates
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Spiciness
- Not spicy
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Potato5, 500 g (medium)
- Spam100 g
- Coarse sea salt1 tbsp
- Water5 cups
Seasoning
- Minced garlic1 tbsp
- Salt1 tsp
- Toasted sesame oil1 tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds1 tbsp
Steps
Prepare the ingredients
Prepare 5 medium potatoes.
I had some pre-cut Spam on hand, so I used 100 g of it.
Cut the ingredients
Cut the potatoes into matchsticks.
I cut them about twice as thick as regular potato matchsticks.
Cut the Spam into thin matchsticks about the same length as the potatoes.
Blanch the potatoes
Since the potatoes are cut thick, blanch them briefly.
Pour about 5 cups of water into a pot—enough to submerge the potatoes—add 1 tbsp coarse sea salt, and bring to a rolling boil...
Add the potatoes and blanch for 1 minute from the moment the water returns to a boil.
This removes residual starch and cooks them more than halfway through, cutting down on stir-frying time.
If you blanch them too long, they lose their chewy, crisp bite and break apart easily.
Do not rinse; simply drain well in a colander.
Stir-fry the Spam
Stir-fry the Spam in a lightly oiled pan until crisp.
Add 1 tbsp minced garlic...
Stir-fry so the garlic aroma infuses well into the Spam.
Add the potatoes and stir-fry
Now add the potatoes.
Add 1/2 tsp salt to lightly season everything...
Stir-fry quickly over high heat until the surface turns lightly golden.
Since they have already been blanched, you only need to stir-fry until everything comes together nicely.
Adjust the seasoning by adding another 1/2 tsp salt, turn off the heat, and finish with 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds.
Finish
Gamja bokkeum is done.
It is delicious even though it is seasoned with just salt.
Ppunwife's tips
- If you blanch them too long, they lose their chewy, crisp bite and break apart easily.
- Do not rinse; simply drain well in a colander.
FAQ
Why blanch the potatoes before stir-frying?
It washes away surface starch and cooks the potatoes more than halfway through, which shortens the time they need to spend in the pan.
How long should the potatoes be blanched in boiling water?
Blanch them lightly for just about 1 minute from the moment the water returns to a boil. If cooked too long, they will lose their crisp, chewy texture and break apart easily.
Should the blanched potatoes be rinsed in cold water?
Do not rinse them in water; simply place them in a colander and shake off the excess moisture.
Can I use other ham or bacon instead of Spam? AI-generated
Yes, other processed meats cut into thin strips, such as smoked bacon or Vienna sausages, work very well.
