Korean Soy Braised Chicken Wings

Quick answer

Total time: 45 min
Level: Easy
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients: 8

About this dish

Dak-nalgae-ganjang-jorim is a Korean braised chicken wings dish slow-cooked in a seasoning mixture of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and ginger over medium-low heat until the sauce reduces to a thick, sticky glaze.

The thin skin on the wings absorbs the braising liquid as it reduces, developing a glossy brown coating that clings to each piece. Cartilage near the joints softens progressively the longer the wings cook, shifting from a firm snap to a yielding, almost gelatinous texture. Green onion is added early to neutralize any off-flavors from the chicken, while ginger contributes a subtle warmth that rounds out the overall aroma. The braising liquid is allowed to reduce almost completely so the last traces of sauce concentrate into a dense, caramelized coating rather than a loose broth. Eating the wings by hand, pulling the meat from the bone, is part of the appeal, and this hands-on quality makes the dish a regular presence on Korean drinking tables alongside beer or soju.

Ingredients

servings

IngredientAmountUnit

chicken wings800 gg

soy sauce5 tbsptbsp

water250 mlml

sugar1 tbsptbsp

minced garlic1 tbsptbsp

ginger10 gg

scallion60 gg

black pepper½ tsptsp

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Instructions

Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.

6 steps

1

Step

Soak 800 g chicken wings in cold water for 10 minutes to draw out blood.

Lift them out, then press them dry with kitchen towels so they sear cleanly and splatter less in the pot.
2

Control

Heat a pot over medium heat and spread in the wings without adding oil.

Turn them for about 4 minutes, until the skin releases some fat and the outside begins to turn lightly golden.
3

Control

Add 5 tablespoons soy sauce, 250 ml water, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 10 g sliced ginger, and black pepper.

Bring to a boil over high heat while scraping up the browned bits from the bottom.
4

Control

Once it boils, lower the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for about 18 minutes.

Turn the wings two or three times so the seasoning coats both sides and reaches the joints evenly.
5

Control

When the liquid is reduced by more than half and the wings look glossy and deep brown, add 60 g diagonally sliced scallion.

If the sauce thickens too fast or catches on the bottom, add one or two spoonfuls of water.
6

Finish

Simmer for 3 more minutes, turning the wings until the scallion softens.

Turn off the heat when the sauce coats a spoon and drips slowly, then plate the wings right away while the glaze is sticky.

Practical Cooking Checks

The cues that matter most while cooking.

Key technique: Slower-cooked chicken wings in a sticky soy, garlic, and ginger glaze until skin is glossy.
Finish cue: When the liquid is reduced by more than half and the wings look glossy and deep brown, add 60 g diagonally sliced scallion.