Disclosed is an optical recording method and apparatus. The optical recording method includes emitting ultrashort pulse light within a femtosecond to picosecond order range from a mode-locked laser light source, forming a recording mark by using a plurality of pulse sequences; modulating a pulse amplitude in the pulse sequences of the laser light during a time period when the recording mark is formed in a medium by using a semiconductor optical amplifier capable of receiving, amplifying, and outputting the laser light emitted from the mode-locked laser light source, so as to make the pulse amplitude at the center of the pulse sequences change into a peak value; and irradiating the medium with the laser light modulated.