Korean Barbecue Sauce {a.k.a. THE Sauce}

Bahan-bahan (2 porsi)

• 3 cups reduced sodium soy sauce
• 3 cups light brown sugar
• 1 cup plus 1/4 cup water (divided)
• 1 cup soju or sake
• 1/2 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 1/2 cup mild honey
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 16-20 cloves, minced)
• 1/4 cup grated fresh ginger root (about a 4-inch piece)
• 4 scallions (trimmed of the root end, thinly sliced)
• 1 ripe pear (peeled, cored, and grated on the finest side of a box grater)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Korean chili pepper powder or crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 tablespoons Clear Jel or canning starch (see cook's notes)