Bo Ssäm – Ginger Scallion Sauce

My good friend Laura’s brother, Daniel Winer, is a jack of all trades. He does so many things, and he does them all well. So when he suggested that I make this version of Bo Ssäm – Ginger Scallion Sauce ‘cause it’s crazy easy and tastes complex enough to claim you slaved over it for three days straight, I jumped.

Note: Vegetarians, vegans and pescatarians can substitute cooked tofu or fish for the pork. For those who don’t eat pork, BBQ chicken or beef would also work in these yummy lettuce wraps.

Bo Ssäm

• 1 c sugar
• 1 c coarse salt
• 8 – 10 lb bone-in pork shoulder

Combine sugar and salt and rub mixture all over pork; cover and refrigerate overnight.

Rinse pork thoroughly and pat dry. Place in roasting pan or casserole that just fits and cook for 5 – 6 hours at 300 F, basting every hour.

Remove pork and let sit for 30 minutes, then cut or pull pork into whatever size pieces you prefer.  

Serve wrap style in bib lettuce leaves with (2 cups) short-grain sushi rice, Ssämjang, Ginger Scallion Sauce, Korean Coleslaw and Kimchi.  Serves 12. The pulled pork be frozen. 

Ginger Scallion Sauce

• 2 bunches scallions, finely chopped
• 1/2 c finely minced ginger
• 1/4 c seasoned rice wine vinegar
• 2 T avocado oil
• 2 t soy sauce

Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Adjust amount of vinegar, oil and soy sauce to taste. Serves 6 – 8.

Ssämjang (Korean Dipping Sauce)

• 1/4 c fermented soybean paste (doenjang)
• 1 – 2 t Korean hot pepper paste (gochujang)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 scallion, chopped
• 1 t sugar or honey
• 2 t toasted sesame oil
• 1 t toasted sesame seeds

Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Serves 6.

Bo Ssäm – Ginger Scallion Sauce Print Ready Recipe

Final notes:

• While you’re twiddling your thumbs as Bo Ssäm cooks itself, read the brilliant Min Jin Lee‘s epic novel Pachinko, a deeply moving story of Korean-Japanese culture.
• Min Jin Lee discusses Pachinko below.

• Watch Min Jin Lee answer the question ‘Are Korean’s Human?‘

• Here are some top-notch tips on cooking short-grain sushi rice and a slightly different take on Bo Ssäm.
• Watch Bo Ssäm being cooked below.

• Watch Maangchi make Ssämjang (Korean Dipping Sauce).