Hambak Steak (Korean-style Hamburg Steak, 함박스테이크)
My notes for this recipe
Hambak Steak is one of those dishes my child really likes. It is not a traditional Korean dish like Kimchi Jjigae or Bulgogi, but in Korea, Hambak Steak is a very familiar family meal: soft, juicy, served with sauce, and often eaten with rice.
I usually make my version with mixed ground beef and pork. At Lidl, I often buy the large XXL pack with 800 g ground meat. That gives me about six patties. I like adding mozzarella to the center of half of them because my child loves it that way.
I first sear the patties in a pan on both sides until they get a nice crust. Then I finish cooking them in the air fryer. This makes them nicely browned outside and safely cooked inside. I make the sauce separately with onion, a little mushroom, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and butter.
How I cook it
Step 1: Prepare the patty mixture
Add the ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, oyster sauce, pepper, and finely chopped spring onion to a large bowl.
Step 2: Knead well
Mix everything very well and knead the mixture for a few minutes. The mixture should become slightly sticky and well combined. This helps the Hambak Steaks stay juicy and hold their shape.
Step 3: Shape the patties
Divide the mixture into about 6 portions. I usually make each patty about 180 g. Shape them into round, thick patties.
Step 4: Fill with mozzarella, optional
If you like, add a little mozzarella to the center and close the meat mixture around it well. I usually fill only half of the patties with cheese.
Step 5: Sear in a pan
Heat a frying pan and sear the patties on both sides until nicely browned. They do not need to be fully cooked inside yet.
Step 6: Finish in the air fryer
Place the seared patties in the air fryer and cook at 180 °C for about 12 minutes. Depending on your air fryer and the thickness of the patties, they may need 12–15 minutes. You can also finish them in a preheated oven.
Step 7: Prepare the sauce ingredients
Thinly slice the onion. If you have button mushrooms, slice 1–2 mushrooms thinly as well. Prepare the water, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, ketchup, and pepper.
Step 8: Cook the sauce
Melt a little butter in a pan and cook the onion until softened. Add the mushrooms if using. Then add water, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, ketchup, and pepper. Let everything simmer.
Step 9: Thicken the sauce
Mix 1 tbsp flour with a little water until smooth. Add this mixture to the sauce and simmer briefly until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 10: Serve
Serve the Hambak Steaks with the warm sauce. Rice, salad, or vegetables go well with it.
