Seoul-Style Spicy Creamy Bacon Pasta
Experience the king of Seoul pasta queues at home. This spicy creamy bacon pasta blends Korean heat with rich Italian cream for a perfect modern fusion.
This dish represents a brilliant modern twist on traditional Italian pasta, perfectly suited to the Asian palate. By combining Gochujang (Korean spicy paste) with rich cream and crispy bacon, it strikes an addictive balance of heat and comfort. It has become a beloved staple in Seouls bustling cafe scene, known for drawing long lines of hungry diners eager for its unique flavor profile.
Ingredients
- 200 g spaghetti noodles
- 100 g bacon
- 1/2 white onion
- 1 tbsp Korean spicy paste (Gochujang)
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- to taste black pepper
- 100 ml light cream
- 100 ml milk
- to taste parmesan cheese
- optional fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- 1Slice the onion
Take a white onion and slice it into thin strips on a wooden cutting board. These sliced onions will be sautéed later to add a sweet and savory base to the dish.
Tip: Keep the slices uniform in thickness so they cook evenly in the pan. - 2Boil the pasta
Place the spaghetti noodles into a pot of vigorously boiling water. Cook the pasta for about eight minutes until it is slightly firm, then drain and set aside in cold water.
Tip: Setting the cooked pasta in cold water prevents it from becoming overly soft and sticking together. - 3Prepare the spicy sauce
In a small metal bowl, combine a scoop of dark red Korean spicy paste with mirin, soy sauce, and black pepper. Mix all the ingredients evenly to form a smooth sauce base.
Tip: You can adjust the amount of Korean spicy paste to match your preferred level of heat. - 4Mix the cream and milk
Pour white milk from a carton into a small metal pot or measuring cup that contains light cream. Mix equal parts of both liquids to create a rich and balanced base for the pasta.
Tip: Using a 1:1 ratio of milk to cream ensures the final sauce is creamy but not overly heavy. - 5Fry the bacon
Place the small, flat pieces of cut bacon into a black non-stick pan. Fry them over medium heat until the fat is completely rendered out and the edges become slightly crispy.
Tip: Fry the bacon slowly without extra oil, allowing it to cook beautifully in its own rendered fat. - 6Combine the pasta and aromatics
Once the onions have been added to the bacon fat and sautéed until soft, add the cooked spaghetti noodles directly into the pan. Toss everything lightly to combine.
Tip: Make sure the onions are fully softened before adding the pasta to maximize their sweet flavor. - 7Add the sauces
Pour the prepared spicy sauce mixture and the blend of light cream and milk over the pasta, bacon, and onions in the pan.
Tip: Ensure the heat is at a medium setting so the cream sauce thickens properly without splitting. - 8Mix the pasta
Toss and mix the spaghetti thoroughly with chopsticks to ensure every strand is evenly coated in the thick, orange-colored sauce. Finally, sprinkle with parmesan cheese to finish the dish.
Tip: Mixing thoroughly ensures the spicy base and creamy sauce emulsify into a smooth, cohesive coating.
