Experience the Irresistible Flavor of Korean-Style Sticky Potatoes
Prepare to elevate your side dish game with these incredible Korean-Style Sticky Potatoes! Often referred to as Sweet & Sour Potatoes or even Sesame Potatoes, these tender morsels are coated in the most thick, glossy, and utterly delicious glaze, promising a culinary experience that will have everyone asking for more. Inspired by the vibrant flavors of traditional Korean cuisine, this recipe brings a beloved banchan (side dish) right to your kitchen table.
The Most Flavorful Side Dish You’ll Ever Make
There’s a reason these potatoes earn names like “sticky” and “sweet & sour”—they perfectly balance a symphony of tastes and textures. Each bite delivers a delightful chewiness from the tender potato, followed by a burst of savory, sweet, and tangy notes from the thick, caramelized glaze. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a flavor sensation that can steal the show at any meal. Drawing inspiration from a classic Korean banchan, these potatoes showcase how simple ingredients can transform into something truly extraordinary with the right technique and flavor profile.
When you dine at a Korean restaurant, you’re often presented with an array of small, delectable side dishes that complement your main course. Among these culinary treasures, glazed potatoes often stand out. The magic truly lies in that incredibly sticky, deeply flavorful glaze that clings to every surface of the potato, creating an addictively satisfying experience. We’ve captured that essence, making it accessible for you to recreate at home.
Why You’ll Love This Korean-Inspired Potato Recipe
Beyond their amazing taste, there are numerous reasons why these Sticky Potatoes will become a staple in your recipe collection:
- Unforgettable Flavor: The unique combination of sweet, savory, and a hint of tang creates a complex flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of palates.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have many of the sauce ingredients in your pantry already, making this a convenient dish to whip up.
- Versatile Pairing: These potatoes are incredibly versatile, serving as a perfect accompaniment to almost any main course, from grilled meats to roasted vegetables.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Their appealing texture and vibrant flavor make them a hit with both adults and children alike. They’re excellent for family dinners, potlucks, or holiday gatherings.
- Easy to Master: With straightforward steps and a little patience, even novice cooks can achieve perfectly glazed, tender potatoes.
Expert Tips for Making Perfect Sticky Potatoes
While the recipe is simple, a few key techniques will ensure your Korean-Style Sticky Potatoes are absolutely perfect every time:
- Choose the Right Potatoes: Baby potatoes are ideal for this recipe because of their tender texture and thin skin, which doesn’t need to be peeled. Their small size also ensures they cook through evenly and quickly. If baby potatoes aren’t available, you can use larger potatoes like Yukon Golds, cut into 1-inch pieces, but adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Achieve a Beautiful Sear: The initial frying step is crucial. Don’t rush it! Allowing the potatoes to get a nice, golden-brown sear on all sides before adding the glaze ingredients adds an incredible depth of flavor and texture. This caramelization on the potato surface contributes significantly to the overall deliciousness, creating a slight crispness that contrasts wonderfully with the tender interior and sticky glaze.
- Patience with the Simmer: The magic of the “sticky” glaze happens during the simmering phase. Give these potatoes ample time to cook in the sauce. As the sauce reduces, it will naturally thicken and coat the potatoes more effectively. The longer they simmer, the more concentrated the flavors will become, and the stickier and glossier your glaze will get. Don’t be tempted to remove them too early if the sauce still seems runny; it will thicken as it cools slightly, but it needs time on the heat to reach that perfect consistency.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When frying the potatoes, ensure they have enough space in a single layer in the pan. If the pan is too crowded, the potatoes will steam instead of sear, preventing that desirable browning and flavor development. Work in batches if necessary.
- Versatile Glaze: This amazing sweet and sour glaze isn’t just for potatoes! It’s incredibly versatile. If you’re a fan of Sesame Chicken from your favorite Asian restaurant, you absolutely must try this glaze over perfectly cooked chicken. Simply fry or bake your chicken pieces, then toss them in this thickened sauce for an equally delightful meal. It also works wonderfully with tofu, shrimp, or even other roasted vegetables like broccoli or carrots.
Essential Ingredients for Your Sticky Potatoes
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to culinary success. Here’s what you’ll need to create this incredibly flavorful side dish:
- Baby Potatoes: Small, tender, and quick to cook, making them perfect for absorbing all the delicious glaze.
- Oil: For frying the potatoes until golden and tender. A neutral oil like vegetable or canola works best.
- Water: Forms the base of the sauce, allowing the potatoes to simmer and absorb flavors.
- Lite Soy Sauce: Adds a fundamental savory, umami depth without overpowering the other flavors.
- Corn Syrup: Essential for that signature glossy, sticky texture and a balanced sweetness.
- Sugar: Enhances the sweetness and helps with caramelization, contributing to the rich glaze.
- Ketchup: Provides a subtle tang and a rich, reddish hue to the sauce, adding a unique depth of flavor.
- Garlic: Minced garlic infuses the entire dish with aromatic savory notes.
- Roasted Sesame Seeds: A final garnish that adds nutty flavor, a pleasant crunch, and visual appeal.
How to Make Delicious Korean-Style Sticky Potatoes: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple instructions to create a truly memorable side dish that’s bursting with flavor:
- Prepare and Sear the Potatoes: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large non-stick pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the baby potatoes (sliced into quarters if using larger ones). Fry the potatoes for 5-7 minutes, turning them occasionally, until they are about halfway cooked through and have developed a beautiful light sear and golden-brown color on all sides. This initial browning is key for flavor. Once seared, carefully drain any excess oil from the pan, leaving just the potatoes.
- Create the Flavorful Glaze: To the pan with the seared potatoes, add the water, lite soy sauce, corn syrup, sugar, ketchup, and minced garlic. Stir everything gently to combine the ingredients and coat the potatoes evenly with the sauce.
- Simmer and Thicken: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the potatoes continue to cook and absorb the flavors for 6-8 minutes. During this time, the potatoes will become fully tender, and the sauce will gradually thicken into a rich, sticky glaze. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even coating. The longer you allow it to simmer, the more the sauce will reduce and become intensely sticky and caramelized.
- Finish with Sesame Seeds: Once the sauce has reached your desired thickness and stickiness, remove the pan from the heat. Sprinkle generously with roasted sesame seeds. Toss the potatoes gently in the pan to ensure they are well coated with both the glaze and the sesame seeds.
- Serve Immediately: These Sticky Potatoes are best enjoyed fresh and warm, allowing the rich glaze and tender potatoes to shine.
Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings
These Korean-Style Sticky Potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be served with a wide array of dishes. They make an excellent side for any Asian-inspired meal, complementing rich flavors without overpowering them. Consider pairing them with:
- Korean BBQ: The sweet and savory notes beautifully balance the smoky, rich flavors of grilled meats like bulgogi or galbi.
- Grilled Chicken or Fish: A simple grilled chicken breast or a flaky white fish receives a delicious upgrade when served alongside these glazed potatoes.
- Stir-Fries: They add a satisfying starch and flavor to any vegetable or meat stir-fry.
- Simple Steamed Rice: A bowl of fluffy white rice provides the perfect neutral canvas to soak up the delicious glaze.
- Other Korean Banchan: Create a full Korean meal spread by serving them with kimchi, pickled radishes, and other small side dishes.
- American Comfort Food: Surprisingly, they can also add an exciting twist to more traditional Western dishes, offering a unique flavor contrast.
Variations to Customize Your Sticky Potatoes
Feel free to get creative with this recipe and adapt it to your taste preferences:
- Add a Spicy Kick: For those who love a bit of heat, a dash of gochugaru (Korean chili powder) or a teaspoon of sriracha or gochujang (Korean chili paste) can be added to the sauce for a fiery twist.
- Garnish with Green Onions: Sliced green onions (scallions) make a beautiful and fresh garnish, adding a mild oniony bite and a pop of color.
- Sesame Oil Finish: A drizzle of toasted sesame oil at the very end can enhance the nutty aroma and deepen the overall flavor.
- Ginger Infusion: Add a teaspoon of grated fresh ginger along with the garlic for an extra layer of aromatic complexity.
- Vegetable Boost: Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables during the simmering phase, such as bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms, for an even heartier side.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover Sticky Potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through, or microwave in short bursts. You might need to add a tablespoon of water or soy sauce if the glaze has become too thick during storage. The potatoes are still delicious after reheating, though the glaze might not be as perfectly glossy as when fresh.
Korean-Style Sticky Potatoes
★
★
★
★
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
10 minutes
10 minutes
20 minutes
4
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds baby potatoes, sliced in quarters
- 2 Tablespoons oil
- ½ cup water
- 2½ Tablespoons lite soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons corn syrup
- 1½ Tablespoons sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon roasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Heat 2 Tablespoons of oil in a pan and fry the potatoes (turning occasionally) on medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes until half cooked and lightly seared on all sides. Drain any excess oil.
- Then add the water, soy sauce, corn syrup, sugar, ketchup, and garlic. Simmer for 6-8 minutes until potatoes are cooked and the sauce thickens and is no longer runny. The longer they cook, the stickier and thicker the sauce becomes.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and toss to coat. Then serve!
Video
Notes
- The key to this potato dish is to make sure they get nice and brown before adding the glaze ingredients. It just adds a whole bunch of flavor!
- Give these potatoes time to simmer in the sauce. The longer they simmer, the thicker and stickier the glaze will get.
- This glaze is perfect with chicken too! If you love Sesame Chicken at your favorite Asian restaurant then you should definitely try this glaze over cooked chicken!
Side Dish
American, Korean
Nutrition
Calories:
258
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
45
g
|
Protein:
4
g
|
Fat:
7
g
|
Sodium:
686
mg
|
Fiber:
3
g
|
Sugar:
15
g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Did you make this recipe?
Share it on Instagram @thecountrycook and mention us #thecountrycook!
Discover More Delicious Recipes
If you loved these Korean-Style Sticky Potatoes, you’re sure to enjoy these other fantastic recipes:
- Easy Baked Teriyaki Salmon
- Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken
- Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
- Honey Glazed Carrots
- Hibachi Fried Rice
- Hamburger Ramen Noodle Skillet
- Chicken Egg Roll In A Bowl
- Ham Fried Rice
- Air Fryer Orange Chicken
- Honey Garlic Chicken
- Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken
- Beef Egg Roll In A Bowl
- Easy Sesame Chicken
- No-Fuss Vegetable Stir Fry
- Vegetable Fried Rice
- Chicken Teriyaki
- Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken