Tender, Nutty Jeju Pork 'Nanchuk Matdon' Shines at Food Festival
Creatrip Team
a month ago
Jeju’s native pig variety, Nanchuk Matdon (’nanchuk’ is a Jeju dialect word meaning ‘big and healthy’), was highlighted at a gourmet event during the Jeju Wine & Food Festival. Chefs showcased the meat’s firm texture and deep flavor using different techniques — low-temperature cooking for extra tenderness and charcoal grilling for smoky richness — while the interior stayed slightly pink and the surface caramelized. Good pork like Nanchuk Matdon can also be delicious at home: cook low for tenderness or high for nutty, flavorful fat, and pair with acidic sauces to enhance the meat’s sweetness. A simple pan-searing recipe for 2–3 people is provided: bring 250g loin or tenderloin to room temperature, season with salt and pepper, sear 3 minutes per side in olive oil at medium heat, add butter, sliced garlic and thyme, baste 90 seconds, rest 3 minutes, and serve with the pan sauce. The article stresses that proper temperature and timing reveal the meat’s true quality.
