Korean Saeu Doenjang Beoteo Gui (Doenjang Butter Shrimp Grill)
Quick answer
Saeu-doenjang-beoteo-gui is Korean doenjang-butter grilled shrimp, where deveined large shrimp are tossed with two-thirds of a sauce made from doenjang, melted unsalted b...
What makes this special
- Savory doenjang and melted butter create a deep umami glaze for these grilled jumbo shrimp.
- Fermented doenjang and butter fat create a savory depth unlike any Western sauce
- Total cook time under 5 minutes keeps shrimp snappy, not rubbery
Key ingredients
Core cooking flow
- 1 Devein 360 g large shrimp along the back, rinse briefly under running water...
- 2 Mix 1 tablespoon doenjang with the melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, le...
- 3 Add only two-thirds of the sauce to the shrimp and toss gently by hand or with a spatula.
Saeu-doenjang-beoteo-gui is Korean doenjang-butter grilled shrimp, where deveined large shrimp are tossed with two-thirds of a sauce made from doenjang, melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and black pepper, marinated for eight minutes, then seared on a hot grill pan for two minutes per side. The fermented soybean paste and butter fat together create a deeply savory richness distinct from any Western butter sauce, and the lemon juice cuts through that heaviness with clean acidity. Total cooking time must stay under five minutes to keep the shrimp flesh snappy rather than rubbery, and brushing the reserved sauce on during a final one-minute sear builds a concentrated doenjang-butter crust on the surface. Because doenjang is inherently salty, any additional salt should only be considered after tasting the finished dish.
Instructions
Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.
- 1Season
Devein 360 g large shrimp along the back, rinse briefly under running water, and pat them very dry with paper towels.
Keep the surface dry so the doenjang butter sauce clings instead of thinning out.
- 2Season
Mix 1 tablespoon doenjang with the melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and black pepper until smooth.
Press any firm bits of doenjang against the bowl with a spoon so the seasoning coats evenly.
- 3Season
Add only two-thirds of the sauce to the shrimp and toss gently by hand or with a spatula.
Marinate for 8 minutes only, so the salty doenjang seasons the shrimp without making them too salty or soft.
- 4Control
Heat the grill pan well over high heat, then arrange the shrimp in a single layer without crowding.
Sear the first side for 2 minutes, and turn them when the edges turn red and the underside releases easily.
- 5Finish
After turning, cook the second side for 2 minutes, then brush on the reserved sauce in a thin layer.
Grill for just 1 more minute, until the surface looks glossy and the sauce lightly clings and browns.
- 6Finish
Remove the shrimp from the heat as soon as the flesh is opaque and springy, keeping total cooking time under 5 minutes.
Taste before adding any salt, then finish with finely chopped chives and serve warm.
After the steps
Pick a recipe that fits this dish.
Continue with shared ingredients, meal pairings, or a similar method.
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