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Spicy Korean Steak Tacos with Kimchi

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Photo by William Meppem

Salting the steaks helps to tenderize the beef and adds to its flavor. Turning the steaks ensures they cook evenly and caramelize on the outside.

Ingredients

Makes 16 tacos

For the steak:

2 (1 1/2-inch/4-cm–thick) rump steaks or boneless sirloin steaks (700g)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 cups (600g) coarse salt
Cracked black pepper

For the Spicy Ginger Sauce:

2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing)
1 tablespoon finely grated ginger
1 teaspoon dried chile flakes
1 tablespoon finely grated palm sugar or brown sugar

For the tacos:

16 small flour tortillas, lightly toasted
1/2 cup (150g) Japanese mayonnaise
2 cups (160g) finely shredded daikon
1 cup (200g) store-bought kimchi
1/2 cup coriander (cilantro) leaves
  1. Step 1

    Rub the steaks with the oil. Spread half the rock salt over a tray, top with the steaks and cover with the remaining salt. Set aside for 20 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Meanwhile make the spicy ginger sauce: Place the oyster sauce, cooking wine, ginger, chile flakes and sugar in a small bowl and mix until the sugar has dissolved.

  3. Step 3

    Wipe all the salt from the steaks, using paper towel, and sprinkle with pepper.

    Step 4

    Preheat a grill pan or barbecue over high heat.

    Step 5

    Cook the steaks, turning every 1 minute, for 2–3 minutes each side or until cooked to your liking. In the last 30 seconds of cooking time, brush the steaks with the spicy ginger sauce and turn to caramelize both sides.

    Step 6

    Cover gently with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Thinly slice the steaks. Spread the tortillas with the mayonnaise. Top with the daikon, steak, kimchi and cilantro to serve.

FromBasics to Brilliance© 2017 by Donna Hay. Reprinted with permission from HarperCollins Publishers. Buy the full book fromHarperCollinsor fromAmazon.
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  • wow! made this to feed around 25 people using 6 lbs of thick cut lean sirloin steaks. i was shopping for mayo ingredients when i found 'yazu mayo' brand japanese mayonnaise so i ended up using that instead. also bought the mild kimchi which i think lets more of the meat glaze flavor of the spicy ginger sauce come through. served minced thai chilis on the side so people could add for more heat. these tacos are incredibly easy and next level delicious. beautifully balanced flavors!

    • Anonymous

    • raleigh, nc

    • 5/17/2022

  • I would make again, especially now that I looked up how easy Japanese Mayo is to make (we made our with just regular mayo).

    • Anonymous

    • Boston, MA

    • 10/5/2018

  • Loved this recipe and it will be in our regular rotation! Used flank steak and doctored up regular mayo with rice wine vinegar and sugar for the Japanese mayo.

    • ktheerman

    • Chicago

    • 8/1/2018

  • These were delicious, and the sauce was great to marinate all kinds of protein, too!

    • lisakristel

    • New York

    • 7/8/2018

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