Prepare the beef by patting it dry with paper towels. If using bone-in short ribs, cut them into bite-sized pieces.
2.2 pounds beef short ribs
Prepare the marinade by adding the grated pear/apple (if using), soy sauce, gochujang, brown sugar, garlic, ginger and onion in a large bowl.
1 tablespoon Korean pear or apple, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup gochujang, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 cloves garlic, 1 inch fresh ginger, 1 onion
Mix all the ingredients well.
Add the beef to the bowl.
Mix the beef with the marinade. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight to infuse the beef with deeper flavors.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Then, take the marinated beef and sear it in batches. Set aside.
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
In the same pot, combine the beef broth, water, toasted sesame seeds, black peppercorns and bay leaf. Bring the broth to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
6 cups beef broth, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, 10 black peppercorns, 1 bay leaf
Add the browned beef and all the remaining marinade to the broth and mix.
Bring the stew to a gentle simmer, cover the pot and cook until the meat is tender. This will take about one to two hours if you’re using boneless beef, or two to three hours if you’re using bone-in beef.
If desired, you can add daikon and/or other vegetables to the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
1/2 cup Korean radish or daikon
Taste the stew and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Garnish the dish with chopped spring onions, sesame seeds, and sesame oil. Serve with rice or noodles and enjoy.