Yangban Society Gochujang Spareribs Recipe
Thomas J. Story
Yields 4 Servings
AuthorKatianna and John Hong
Los Angeles restaurant Yangban Society's sweet and spicy and oh-so-sticky pork ribs benefit from a sauce spiked with gochujang, the deeply flavored fermented Korean chili paste. For maximum deliciousness, make sure you give yourself 3 to 12 hours to cure the pork ribs in the dry rub.
This recipe, and others like it, can be found in the article "An Exclusive First Look Inside L.A.’s Yangban Society."

How to Make It

1

To make the Gochujang barbecue sauce: Combine ketchup, gochujang, hoisin, oyster sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, fish sauce, plum extract, onion and garlic powder, black pepper, ground ginger, mustard paste, and chipotles in a medium saucepan. Stir and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Carefully transfer mixture to a blender, and add apple cider vinegar. Cover, then blend until smooth. Chill mixture and reserve. Can be made a day or two in advance.

2

For the ribs: Remove membrane from back of the spareribs with a sharp paring knife and a kitchen towel. Brush both sides lightly with oil and evenly sprinkle on dry rub (ingredients at left), starting with the back. Cover and cure for at least 3 hours and up to 12 hours in the refrigerator.

3

When ready to cook, allow to temper at room temperature for 1 hour. Season both sides with kosher salt. Set up grill for indirect cooking: Heat one side to medium-low, leaving the other half cool. Place ribs over cool side and cook 20 minutes, flipping occasionally to balance the time on each side. The goal is to add grill flavor and a little caramelization before cooking completely. Once grilled, transfer ribs to a sheet tray with a rack. Allow to rest 15–20 minutes.

4

Preheat oven to 275°F. Use convection mode if you have it. Liberally and evenly brush barbecue sauce on both sides of the ribs, starting with the back. Bake with a high fan for 1 1⁄2 hours or until pork reaches an internal temperature of 180-190°F. Remove from oven, brush with more sauce, cover with a foil tent, and allow to rest 30–40 minutes before serving.

Ingredients

For the Gochujang Barbecue Sauce
 ½ cup ketchup
 ½ cup gochujang
 2 tbsp hoisin
 1 tbsp oyster sauce
 1 tbsp soy sauce
 3 tbsp brown sugar
 1 tsp fish sauce
 1 tbsp plum extract
 2 tbsp onion powder
 1 tsp garlic powder
 1 tsp ground black pepper
 1 tsp ginger powder
 1 tsp hot mustard paste
 3 oz canned chipotles
 ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
For the Dry Rub
  cup brown sugar
 2 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. Korean chili flakes
 3 tbsp onion powder
 2 tbsp garlic powder
 2 tbsp kosher salt
 1 tsp ground black pepper
 1 tsp ground ginger
 1 rack spareribs (about 3–4 lbs.)

Directions

1

To make the Gochujang barbecue sauce: Combine ketchup, gochujang, hoisin, oyster sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, fish sauce, plum extract, onion and garlic powder, black pepper, ground ginger, mustard paste, and chipotles in a medium saucepan. Stir and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Carefully transfer mixture to a blender, and add apple cider vinegar. Cover, then blend until smooth. Chill mixture and reserve. Can be made a day or two in advance.

2

For the ribs: Remove membrane from back of the spareribs with a sharp paring knife and a kitchen towel. Brush both sides lightly with oil and evenly sprinkle on dry rub (ingredients at left), starting with the back. Cover and cure for at least 3 hours and up to 12 hours in the refrigerator.

3

When ready to cook, allow to temper at room temperature for 1 hour. Season both sides with kosher salt. Set up grill for indirect cooking: Heat one side to medium-low, leaving the other half cool. Place ribs over cool side and cook 20 minutes, flipping occasionally to balance the time on each side. The goal is to add grill flavor and a little caramelization before cooking completely. Once grilled, transfer ribs to a sheet tray with a rack. Allow to rest 15–20 minutes.

4

Preheat oven to 275°F. Use convection mode if you have it. Liberally and evenly brush barbecue sauce on both sides of the ribs, starting with the back. Bake with a high fan for 1 1⁄2 hours or until pork reaches an internal temperature of 180-190°F. Remove from oven, brush with more sauce, cover with a foil tent, and allow to rest 30–40 minutes before serving.

Gochujang Spareribs

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