This Korean potato side dish aka ‘Gamja Jorim’ is a popular side dish (banchan) in Korean cuisine! Braised potatoes in sweet soy sauce is a favorite Korean side dish and so easy to make!
This Korean potato side dish is one of my favorite Korean side dishes to eat! Known as Gamja Jorim in Korea, it’s braised baby potatoes in a sweet, garlicky soy sauce that pairs perfectly with fresh steamed rice. It’s ubiquitous in every Korean restaurant and always my favorite side dish that comes out!
My favorite thing about this Korean potato side dish is how easy it is to make. This is a one pot dish with only 4 ingredients! Potatoes, soy sauce, sugar, and garlic. That’s it! If you want more flavor, you can add a drizzle of sesame oil and sesame seeds at the end. It’s such a simple dish but has so much flavor!
Cooking the potatoes in the sauce lets the flavor soak right in. If you want a thicker sauce, reduce it for a few minutes until it turns into a sweet, sticky glaze. This is also one of those dishes that tastes even better the day after so double the recipe and save some for the week.
Tips for Korean Potato Side Dish – Gamja Jorim
- Start with peeled potatoes as it helps them absorb the sauce
- If cooking on the stovetop, try not to stir too much so the potatoes stay whole
- Waxy potatoes are preferred since they keep their shape better than starchy potatoes
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- Peel potatoes so it better absorbs the sauce
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- Add soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and water
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- After 8 minutes of cooking in the Instant Pot
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- Reducing the sauce
These braised Korean potatoes keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days sealed in an air tight container. Enjoy with steamed rice for an easy Korean meal!
I hope you enjoy this recipe! Please share, rate, and comment below. I’d love to hear from you!
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Korean Potato Side Dish - Gamja Jorim
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups baby potatoes peeled
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Stovetop:
- Add all the ingredients plus an additional ¼ cup of water to a large pot and cover with a lid. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat to medium low and let it simmer covered for 15 - 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Optional - to reduce the sauce, remove the lid and let the sauce thicken over medium heat for about 4 - 5 minutes.
- Add the sesame oil to finish and garnish with sesame seeds.
Instant Pot:
- Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot and set it to manual Pressure Cook for 8 minutes. Quick release the pressure. Optional - to reduce the sauce, and change the Setting to Saute and saute for about 5 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Add the sesame oil to finish and garnish with sesame seeds.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools.
Ashley
Are these the potatoes sometimes served cold in Korean restaurants alongside bugogi?
Jamie
Hi Ashley! Yes they’re a popular side dish and can be served hot or cold. Usually in Korean restaurants they’re served cold but you can heat them up too. Hope you try it out!
Lucille
We made a Korean feast the other night, and these potatoes were my favourite part. Love how easy they are! We are going to make them again soon and try your sticky ribs recipe – I think they will go so well together!
Jamie
Thank you so much Lucille! So glad you enjoyed these potatoes! And yes, definitely try out the ribs. They’re incredible! 🙂
Glory
I made these and my son liked them so much he added them to his birthday list.
Jamie
Yay I’m so glad your son enjoyed them so much! I hope your son has an awesome birthday! 🙂
Will
These turned out so good!! I added some chopped onions to the pot and then added some fresh green onions right before eating it with a bowl of rice. Delicious!
Lynne
Hi, i’d like to try these and prepare them in advance…should I cook them entirely, let them cool and store in the fridge? Then what would be the best way to heat them up the following day?
Jamie
Hi Lynne! Yes exactly, you can cook these entirely through and store it in the fridge after it cools. I think they taste even better the next day! You can heat them up in the microwave or on the stove top until it’s warmed all the way through. Hope you enjoy these! 🙂
FOOD HEAL
These potatoes look wonderful and easy to make…
Jamie
Yes they certainly are! I hope you enjoyed it!
Amy | The Cook Report
I love Korean flavours and this side dish looks delicious!
Jamie
Thank you Amy! Yes I love Korean flavors too, can never get sick of it. 🙂
Neli Howard | Delicious Meets Healthy
Who doesn’t like potatoes? This looks terrific — super flavor. Thanks!
Jamie
Thank you Neli! Agreed, I haven’t met anyone that doesn’t like potatoes.
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
Oh Jamie, these look so delicious! Wow!! I love Korean food, and it is my best friend’s favourite – I will need to make these for us soon! Yum!
Jamie
Thank you so much Alexandra! Your friend has good taste in food lol. I hope you and your friend enjoy this and please let me know how you liked it. 🙂
Jill
I’ve not heard of these, but I’m pinning them to try. They sound so delicious!
Jamie
Yay Jill! I hope you enjoy them. Please let me know how you liked it. 🙂
Beth
These look so delicious! I love even more that they can be made quick and easy in the instant pot!
Jamie
Thank you Beth! Yes I love how quick it is in the Instant Pot. They seem perfect for them right? 🙂
Lizet Flores de Bowen
Every couple of months we do a big Korean meal with friends. I want to add these potatoes. It sounds so easy to make and they look so delicious!
Jamie
Wow that’s amazing! What Korean meals do you prepare? Isn’t Korean food best shared with lots of people? All those side dishes are great for potlucks meals! 🙂