Kimchi Jjigae
Photo: makafood on Pexels
Korean

Kimchi Jjigae

Korea's most comforting stew — very sour, well-fermented kimchi braised with pork belly (or canned tuna) and silken tofu in a gochugaru-spiced broth until everything melds into a deeply savoury, warming, reddish stew.

Total
50 min
Serves
4
Level
Easy

Prep 20 min · Cook 30 min

Ingredients

4 servings

Method

  1. In a stone pot (dolsot) or heavy pot, fry pork belly over medium heat for 5 minutes until lightly browned. No additional oil needed — the pork renders its own fat.

    About 5 min

  2. Add kimchi and kimchi juice. Stir and cook 3 minutes.

    About 11 min

  3. Add gochugaru, gochujang, garlic and sugar. Stir to combine.

    About 11 min

  4. Pour in water or stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a medium simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The kimchi softens and the broth deepens in colour and flavour.

    About 11 min

  5. Gently add tofu slices and spring onions. Simmer 5 more minutes — do not stir vigorously or the tofu will break.

    About 11 min

  6. Drizzle with sesame oil. Serve in the stone pot if possible — the pot stays boiling at the table. Serve alongside a bowl of steamed rice and other banchan (Korean side dishes).

    About 3 min

Nutrition per serving (estimate)

Calories
380
Protein
22 g
Carbs
18 g
Fat
24 g
Fibre
4 g
Sugar
6 g
Sodium
1200 mg

Contains: soy, sesame

All Korean recipes

Recipe by Boon Tools.