Dak Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps with Ssamjang Sauce

Happy Friday! With Winter Snowstorm Jonas inching it's way closer to Manhattan, I'm starting the weekend off by filling my belly with some warm delicious Korean barbeque and lettuce wraps! I normally do galbi, or make bulgogi with red meat but I was particularly craving some good ole' fashion protein. Chicken. And the marinade can be used for any choice of meat, so if you're opting for something more carnivorous, go for it! 

Korean lettuce wraps with ssamjang (쌈장) sauce.

Dak Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps

2 -3 Servings:

Ingredients:

1 pound boneless chicken thigh and/or breast

A head of butter or Boston lettuce, rinsed and dried.

Sushi rice

Shredded carrot, sliced radish and green onion for garnish.

Sweet & savory Korean chicken BBQ lettuce wraps.

Ssamjang sauce (쌈장)​:

4 tablespoons red pepper paste

5 tablespoons soy bean paste

5 cloves garlic, minced

¼ sweet onion, minced

1 green chile pepper, finely chopped

2 green onions, chopped

2 tablespoons rice wine

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon sesame oil

Marinade for dak bulgogi (Korean BBQ chicken)​:

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon rice wine

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon grated ginger

1 tablespoon sesame oil

pinch black pepper

1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Directions:

Mix all ingredients for ssamjang sauce. Refrigerate after use.

For chicken, rinse in water and pat dry. Trim all excess fat. Cut into bite-size pieces.

Mix marinade before mixing in the chicken.

Pan fry until cooked through, roughly 5-6 minutes on each side.

Spread ssamjang sauce, sushi rice, chicken, and garnish on a leaf of lettuce. Wrap and enjoy! :-)

Ssam means "wrapped" and jang means "paste" or "thick sauce." Together as ssamjang they mean "wrapping sauce." The etymology behind it is kind of cool, don't you think? What's even cooler? This spicy sauce will knock your socks off! I normally refer it as "my cracksauce" because after one dip you'll be hooked!

Ssamjang sauce (쌈장).

Ssamjang sauce is a great vegetable dip. Don't forget the rice because I'm not kidding when I state that it's spicy! And especially if I've made it, it'll be extra hot! I love it with cubanelles (Cuban peppers) because the sweetness out of the pepper balances with the spice. They complement each other very well. Cucumbers are also super yummy with this sauce!

I also used a cast iron grill pan to char my chicken — to add that smoky flavor. Together as a whole, with the crispiness of the radish and all the other textures, these lettuce wraps will be a huge hit in anyone's kitchen! Why not give these a try these weekend? And if snow is 'allowed' where you live (ha!), stay safe and warm. We hope you have a cozy next few days. These will surely give a little spice into your life. ♥

Love & xx's,