Spicy Korean Pork Lettuce Wraps (Jeyuk Bokkeum Recipe)
If you’re craving a bold, satisfying meal but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, these pork lettuce wraps are the answer. Bonus, they are spicy Korean style so it will satisfying that Korean-BBQ night craving! This is my go-to for when I want something spicy and “healthy-ish”, because, lettuce!
Juicy, thinly sliced pork cooks very quickly, soaking up a punchy gochujang marinade that gets beautifully caramelized in the pan. Wrapped in crisp, crunchy greens, it’s a meal that hits hard on flavor while staying light. It’s fun, exciting, and totally doable in under 30 minutes. I love pairing mine with a side of rice to keep it filling, but it’s just as delicious as a high-protein, low-carb snack.
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Why This Korean Spicy Pork Recipe Works
This Korean Spicy Pork Stir Fry (Jeyuk Bokkeum/제육볶음) recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort! Using thinly sliced pork means the marinade penetrates quickly, so you don’t need hours to get bold, savory flavor. Though if you marinate overnight, the flavors will deepen and be even better! Cooking over medium-high heat allows the pork to sear and caramelize on the edges while staying tender inside. Pairing the rich, spicy pork with fresh lettuce keeps each bite balanced, not heavy. It’s fast, satisfying, and perfect for busy weeknights when you still want something seriously satisfying.
What is Gochujang? (The Secret to Korean BBQ Flavor)
Gochujang is a Korean chili paste that’s spicy, slightly sweet, and deeply savory all at the same time. It has a rich flavor and thick, smooth texture.
Gochujang is a staple in Korean kitchens and is used in many everyday dishes like bibimbap, tteokbokki, stews, and marinades. What makes gochujang so useful is how balanced it is, it adds heat, sweetness, and umami without needing a long list of ingredients.
In this recipe, gochujang is the main flavor builder. It coats the pork, caramelizes as it cooks, and creates that bold, glossy sauce that makes these lettuce wraps so satisfying. If you have a tub of gochujang in your fridge, this is one of the easiest ways to put it to good use. Gochuajang can be found in many Asian grocery stores, the international-foods aisle at your grocery store chain, or online. You can purchase it here.
If you enjoy this recipe, I highly recommend checking out another recipe that features gochujang: Easy Gochujang Chicken in 30 minutes!
The Best Pork for Korean Lettuce Wraps
Thinly sliced pork is the key to making this recipe quick and flavorful. My go-to cut is pork shoulder which is slightly fattier than other cuts. This means it is more forgiving compared to leaner cuts like pork loin. If you can find hotpot-style pork slices at an Asian grocery store, they’re ideal and save even more prep time.
If you’re slicing your own pork, place it in the freezer for about an hour until the outside firms up. This makes it much easier to slice thinly and evenly, which helps the pork cook quickly and soak up the marinade evenly.
How to Assemble Lettuce Wraps
Grab your lettuce
Wash and pat your leaves dry. Butter lettuce or romaine works best for Korean wraps! They are sturdy enough to hold all that tasty pork.
Scoop in the pork
Scoop 1-2 tablespoons (or more, no judging) of the spicy pork right in the middle. Don’t go overboard or you may have a tough time wrapping it!
Add some extras
Sprinkle on green onions, shredded carrots, sesame seeds, or a little extra sauce if you like.
Wrap it up
Fold the sides in, roll it up like a mini taco, or just fold it in half. Easy to hold, easy to eat!
Substitutions & Variations
This recipe is easy to adapt based on what you have on hand. If you don’t eat pork, chicken thighs, beef, shrimp, or even firm tofu work well with the same marinade. King oyster mushrooms or eggplant are great plant-based options and absorb the sauce deliciously. Of course, it will no longer be Jeyuk Bokkeum but it still makes a great dish!
To adjust the spice level, reduce the amount of gochujang for a milder version or add extra chili flakes or gochugaru if you like more heat. You can also add a touch of honey or sugar to balance the spice if needed.
Make It Ahead / Meal Prep Tips
This Korean spicy pork is a great option for meal prep and busy weeks. You can marinate the pork up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. The longer it sits, the more flavorful it gets, which makes dinner the next day even faster.
Once cooked, the pork stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat it gently in a pan or microwave until warmed through. If the sauce looks a little thick, add a small splash of water to loosen it back up.
For meal prep, store the pork separately from the lettuce and toppings. Keep the lettuce washed and dried, then assemble the wraps right before eating so everything stays fresh and crisp. It’s an easy way to have a quick, satisfying meal ready to go without much effort.
What to Serve With It?
These lettuce wraps are incredibly flexible, which makes them perfect for both quick weeknight dinners and casual sharing-style meals. Most of the time, I serve the spicy pork with a bowl of hot steamed rice on the side while I wrap everything with fresh lettuce. You can spoon the pork over rice, wrap it in lettuce, or do a bit of both depending on your mood.
If you want to turn this into a more complete meal, it pairs really well with simple Korean-inspired sides. Light, fresh dishes help balance out the richness and spice of the pork. Some great options include fishcake stir-fry, braised potatoes and quick pickled raddish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I marinate the pork overnight?
- Yes! While 30 minutes is enough for great flavor, marinating overnight will make the pork even more flavorful.
Can I make these pork lettuce wraps ahead of time?
- Yes, stir-fry the pork ahead of time and store it separately; assemble with fresh lettuce when ready.
What type of lettuce works best for wraps?
- Typically, you would use green leaf lettuce or butter lettuce.
How spicy are these wraps?
Not too spicy, just moderate-level of spiciness. I personally cannot eat too spicy and have no trouble with this recipe. You can reduce heat by using less or swapping for a milder gochuchang and gochugaru.
Can I swap the pork for another protein?
Absolutely, meats like chicken, shrimp and beef all work well with the same sauce and seasonings.
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Ingredients
1 lb Pork shoulder or sliced pork
2 tbsp Gochujang
- 1 tbsp Gochugaru
1/2 tbsp Sugar
2 tbsp Soy sauce
1 tbsp Cooking wine
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
1/2 tsp Black pepper
1 medium Onion thinly sliced
1 small Carrot julienned
- 2 stalks Green onion sliced
1 tsp Sesame oil
Sesame seeds for garnish
- Green lettuce
- White rice (optional)
Step by step instructions
1. Slice the pork
Slice the pork shoulder into thin, even pieces. Thin slices help the pork absorb the marinade quickly and cook fast on a busy weeknight.
2. Marinate the pork
In a bowl, combine gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, cooking wine and sugar. Add the sliced pork and mix until everything is well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, though overnight in the fridge will give you the best flavor. If you are really short on time, skip the marinating.
3. Cook the vegetables
Heat a pan over medium high heat with a little oil. Add the onion, carrot, and green onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
4. Cook the pork
Add the marinated pork to the pan and spread it out so it cooks evenly. Let it cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pork is fully cooked and the sauce looks glossy.
5. Finish and serve
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and a drizzle of sesame oil. Serve hot with lettuce leaves for wrapping and/or steamed rice. Enjoy!
Korean Spicy Pork Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
- 1 lb Pork shoulder or sliced pork
- 2 tbsp Gochujang
- 1 tbsp Gochugaru or any chili flakes
- 1/2 tbsp Sugar
- 2 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Cooking wine
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1 medium Onion thinly sliced
- 1 small Carrot julienned
- 2 stalks Green onion sliced
- 1 tsp Sesame oil
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- Green lettuce
- White rice (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the pork:Slice the pork shoulder into thin, even pieces. Thin slices help the pork absorb the marinade quickly and cook fast on a busy weeknight.
- Marinate the pork:In a bowl, combine gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, cooking wine and sugar. Add the sliced pork and mix until everything is well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, though overnight in the fridge will give you the best flavor. If you are really short on time, skip the marinating.
- Cook the vegetables:Heat a pan over medium high heat with a little oil. Add the onion, carrot, and green onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Cook the pork:Add the marinated pork to the pan and spread it out so it cooks evenly. Let it cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pork is fully cooked and the sauce looks glossy.
- Finish and serve:Sprinkle with sesame seeds and a drizzle of sesame oil. Serve hot with lettuce leaves for wrapping and/or steamed rice. Enjoy!