Doenjang butter scallops
Korean soybean paste adds depth to Japanese butter-soy scallops, cooked through in a home skillet.

AI-generated cooking illustrations. Follow the written quantities and instructions.
Ingredients
2 servings

Everyday kitchen measurements
For 2 servings. Use a small 180 ml paper cup, a level eating spoon (about 15 ml) and a small teaspoon (about 5 ml).
How to fill the cup and spoons
Use the same cup and spoons throughout. Their sizes vary, so these amounts are approximate. Spoon flour in loosely and level the top without pressing. Measure vegetables after chopping, without packing them down. The amounts in g/ml are the original reference quantities. For part of a pack, use the specified pack weight and divide the contents evenly.
King Arthur Baking-
Essential
Needed for this version; use the listed amount.
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Essential
Needed for this version; use the listed amount.
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Substitute available
If Korean doenjang soybean paste is unavailable
Replace with 12 g plain miso and omit the 5 ml soy sauce. Do not add both pastes.
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Essential
Needed for this version; use the listed amount.
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Essential
Needed for this version; use the listed amount.
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Essential
Needed for this version; use the listed amount.
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Essential
Needed for this version; use the listed amount.
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Essential
Needed for this version; use the listed amount.
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Optional
May be omitted; leave the other quantities unchanged.
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Optional
May be omitted; leave the other quantities unchanged.
Tap each ingredient as you prepare it. Check product labels for egg, soy, sesame, wheat, fish or shellfish where relevant.
Step-by-step cooking
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Step 1

Thaw scallops overnight in the refrigerator. Remove the small tough side muscle and blot very dry. Use about 8 large scallops, around 2 cm thick. Mince garlic and slice spring onion.
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Step 2

Mix doenjang, soy sauce, sugar and all 30 ml water until loose. If replacing doenjang with the same amount of miso, omit the soy sauce. Keep sauce separate from raw scallops.
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Step 3

Heat oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Space scallops in one layer and sear undisturbed for 90 seconds–2 minutes. Work in batches if crowded; wet scallops steam instead of browning.
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Step 4

Flip and cook for 1–2 minutes until the centers are firm, pearly and opaque. For thick pieces check at least 63°C. If the crust darkens too quickly, lower the heat. Transfer to a clean plate.
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Step 5

Lower heat. Melt butter, add garlic for 20 seconds, then sauce for 30–60 seconds. Return scallops for 20 seconds to coat. If thick, loosen with 15 ml extra water. Add optional spring onion and lemon; serve immediately.
Finished dish

2 servings. Contains molluscs, milk and soy; paste/soy sauce may contain wheat. Use raw thick scallop muscles, not shell-on or precooked scallops. Total time excludes refrigerator thawing.
Enjoy every bite
How to enjoy it
Serve with rice and spoon the butter sauce over it.
Serve it with

Butter soy rice
Warm rice tossed with a little fragrant spring onion, soy sauce and butter. A simple egg-free bowl with a glossy finish and an optional crisp seaweed topping.

Korean spicy cucumber salad (oi-muchim)
A crisp cucumber side dish with gochugaru, vinegar and sesame. Mix shortly before serving for the freshest texture.

