Table of Contents

Intro

You know, when you are sitting at one of the booths of The Cheesecake Factory, just leafing through their encyclopedia of a menu, it is easy to get lost in options.

However, after you take those initial bites of their Korean Fried Cauliflower, you know that there are a few dishes that steal the show.

Cauliflower is cut into crispy and golden bites, which are very well fried and coated with a sweet-spicy Korean-style glaze that touches all the right notes – tangy, sticky, garlicky, a little bit fiery.

It is one of those meals that you stop halfway through eating and say to yourself, This is cauliflower?

Today, we are taking the magic home with me in my version of the Cheesecake Factory Korean Fried Cauliflower Recipe that is simple, saucy, and completely restaurant-quality.

What is Cheesecake Factory’s Korean Fried Cauliflower?

The Cheesecake Factory Korean Fried Cauliflower Recipe is essentially their ingenious rendition of their Korean fried chicken, with the exception that cauliflower is the main ingredient.

It is a twice-fried and highly crispy vegetable dish that is covered with a glossy gochujang-based dressing. The sauce is cinnamon, syrupy, and sticky, containing a touch of garlic, ginger, sesame, and soy – pure umami ecstasy.

It is not only the sauce that makes this dish something special. It’s the texture. The batter provides a subtle, crackly bite, which remains crispy despite being mixed up in the sauce. You have cauliflower that is tender in and crispy as a coating out of this world.

It is usually served as a finger plate or appetizer at Cheesecake Factory, but I would be frank enough to admit that at home, I convert it to a full-course meal with a plate of jasmine rice or even in lettuce wraps.

The History of My Coming to this.

This dish was my very first experience at the Cheesecake restaurant during a girls’ night dinner. I was among those individuals who used to never pass pasta or cheesecake (just like everybody). However, that night, my friend insisted that we should have the Korean Fried Cauliflower.

One bite in, and I was floored. The ratio of flavors: the crunchy coating, the hint of smoky gochujang bite, and the sweetness that held it all together, was all perfection.

I immediately came home and began trying and adjusting the versions until I was sure that I had a copy that tasted like the Cheesecake Factory original. Perhaps even better (home-cooked food simply has that advantage, right?).

Equipment You’ll Need

The Cheesecake Factory Korean Fried Cauliflower Recipe is not that difficult to make, and naturally, with the correct equipment, it would be easy:

Mixing bowls (large and medium)
Deep frying pan or Dutch oven
Wire rack (to drain fried cauliflower)
Whisk
Tongs or a slotted spoon
Small saucepan (for the sauce)
Measuring cups and spoons
Paper towels

Ingredients

For the Cauliflower Batter:

1 large cauliflower, chopped into florets of bite-sized.
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup ice-cold sparkling water (more as necessary)
Frying oil (canola or vegetable oil)

For the Korean Sauce:

3 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of water (not compulsory, to thicken it)

For Garnish:

Sliced green onions
Toasted sesame seeds
Flakes of red pepper (additional heat, optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Cauliflower

Cut the cauliflower into medium-sized, uniformly sized florets – neither too big, nor too small. Rinse and put off, and dry thoroughly. When frying, the moisture will splatter; thus, ensure it is dry.

Step 2: Make the Batter

In a big bowl, add flour, corn starch, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Gradually add the cold sparkling water until you have a smooth, pancake-like batter that is not lumpy, and that is enough to cover the florets.

Step 3: Heat the Oil

Heat oil in a deep frying pan about 2 inches of oil to 350°F (175oC). Precise with thermometer — crisp and non-greasy cauliflower is the secret.

Step 4: Fry in Batches

One by one, using the batter, dip the pieces of cauliflower, drain them, and drop them in the hot oil. Cook approximately 34 minutes or until golden and crisp. Wipe off and dry on a wire rack or paper towel.

After frying all of them, go round two – fry each piece an additional 1-2 minutes. And that is why they remain crunchy even with a sauce on them!

Step 5: Make the Korean Sauce

Add gochujang, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan on medium heat and then stir. Bake 2-3 minutes or until slightly thickened.

In case you want a heavier glaze, add your cornstarch slurry and cook one minute more until shiny.

Step 6: Toss & Serve

Transfer the fried cauliflower to a huge mixing bowl and pour the sauce over the cauliflower. Stir carefully with tongs until all of the bits are covered with that sticky spicy stuff.

Top with green onions, sesame seeds, and a sprinkling of chili flakes if you are hot-blooded.

Serving Suggestions

This is my favorite way to serve this Cheesecake Factory Korean Fried Cauliflower Recipe at home:

Over jasmine or sticky rice as a complete meal.
On lettuce wraps with shredded carrots and cucumber.
On skewers or mini plates, as a party appetizer.
To accompany grilled chicken or as a spicy, crunchy dish, tofu.
Spread with additional sauce (always do a little additional sauce).

In case you are in the mood to get a little wild, you can add some crushed peanuts or cashews over the top to add some extra texture, but it is not a classic, though so good.

What Is So Addictive about This Cheesecake Factory Korean Fried Cauliflower Recipe?

It is exceptionally pleasing to make a lowly vegetable such as cauliflower seem decadent and thrilling. It is fried twice to give it extreme crispness. The gochujang sauce is a magic combination of sweet, savory, and spicy.

The honey and sesame oil are depths and glossy.

It is a meal that gets your taste buds on their feet, and anyone who has a bite is surprised. The cauliflower crowd that does not like it finds themselves going back to the plate twice.

Guides to the flawless Korean Fried Cauliflower.

Cold sparkling water should be used: The carbonation forms a foamy, light filament.
Do not overload the pan: Fry in shifts to keep the oil hot.
Double-fry to make crispy: The secret of restaurant crispness.
Temperature spice: Add additional or less gochujang based on your spiciness.
Eat right away: it will be hot and freshly sauced.

My Personal Touch on Cheesecake Factory Korean Fried Cauliflower Recipe

In other cases, I make alterations to the sauce depending on my mood.

I will use more honey in case I want it sweeter.

To add a bit more of the smoky effect, I add a splash of dark soy sauce or a touch of smoked paprika.

And when I am lazy, I do not deep-fry nor air-fry the cauliflower – it is not the same, but it is still incredibly crispy using very little oil.

To me, cooking is an affair of fun and contentment. And this recipe is one of those that leave me smiling when I cook or eat it because of its sweet heat and golden crunch.

How to Store & Reheat

In case of any leftovers (which is uncommon), it is better to keep them in an airtight container in the fridge and store them for 2 days.

In order to reheat, an oven or an air fryer is needed, where it is so nice to regain the crispness. Do not microwave, as it will make the coating greasy.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesecake Factory Korean Fried Cauliflower Recipe

It is a restaurant-quality appetizer that can be made at home.
It is vegetarian, full-bodied, and full of flavor.
It is versatile- use it as a snack, side, or even main dish.
It is just gorgeous to be served during dinner parties (and is actually simple).

Final Thoughts

This Cheesecake Factory Korean Fried Cauliflower Recipe is evidence that cauliflower does not have to be dull. It may be hot, crunchy, and totally appetizing.

Each serving is that slice of crunch and saucy sweetness. The Cheesecake Factory does so well, except that you can prepare it in your kitchen now without having to wait until you have a table or a menu as big as a novel.

Once the dish is served, you will find everyone at the table going quiet for a second – that is when you have hit it.

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