1. The Meaning Behind the Name 'Tangsuyuk (糖醋肉)' The word ‘Tangsuyuk’ is composed of Chinese characters: ‘糖 (Tang)’ means sugar (sweet), ‘醋 (Su)’ means vinegar (sour), and ‘肉 (Yuk)’ means meat . So literally, it translates to “sweet and sour meat.” Just from its name, you can infer both the flavor and the cooking method of this dish. 2. The Chinese Original: ‘Gulu Rou (咕嚕肉)’ Tangsuyuk originates from the Cantonese dish “Gulu Rou (咕嚕肉)” , a sweet and sour pork dish from Guangdong, China. It’s made by cutting pork into bite-sized pieces, deep-frying them, and coating them with a sweet and sour sauce. In Cantonese, ‘咕嚕’ implies a crispy and tangy taste, which perfectly describes the dish. 3. How Korea Reinterpreted Tangsuyuk Once introduced to Korea, Tangsuyuk was adapted to suit Korean palates. The sauce became thicker, sweeter , and a wider variety of vegetables were added, such as carrots, onions, cucumbers, and bell peppers. The batter became crispi...