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Creamy Korean Ssamjang Pasta

Creamy Korean Ssamjang Pasta

This creamy Korean Ssamjang Pasta combines Korean flavors with Italian pasta, featuring crispy pork belly for a delightful dish.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: Italian, Korean
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g spaghetti
  • 150 g pork belly cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 3 tablespoons ssamjang
  • 200 g cream
  • cup Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • black pepper to taste
  • red pepper flakes to taste
  • salt to taste
  • green onions optional, for garnish
  • soft boiled egg optional, for serving
  • kimchi optional, for serving

Equipment

  • skillet
  • large pot
  • mixing bowl

Method
 

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the pork belly until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Cut it into bite-sized chunks, season lightly with salt, and set aside.
  2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
  3. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a separate pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the ssamjang and mix well.
  4. Pour in the cream, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for 3 minutes, then add the pan-fried pork belly to reheat.
  5. Once your spaghetti is al dente, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Add the drained pasta to the sauce, followed by the parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and pepper. Gradually whisk in pasta water until you achieve a silky sauce.
  6. Taste the dish and add salt if necessary. Serve hot, topped with extra parmesan, chopped green onions, and a soft boiled egg if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 20gFat: 30gSodium: 1000mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g

Notes

This dish can be customized by substituting pork belly with chicken or tofu, and using plant-based cream for a lighter version.

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