Kimchi-jjigae
Kimchi-jjigae is a bubbling stew of well-fermented kimchi, tofu and pork in a spicy broth. It is deeply tangy and warming.

Tuna kimchi-jjigae: Chloe Lim, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Where it comes from
This is a household staple that uses up older, sourer kimchi. It is served hot from the pot with plain rice.
Explore the cuisine of South Korea.
Recipe
Make Kimchi-jjigae at home
Ingredients
- 2 cups aged kimchi, chopped
- 8 oz pork belly, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon gochugaru
- 1 tablespoon gochujang
- 3 cups water or anchovy stock
- 1/2 block tofu, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 scallions
- 1 teaspoon sugar
How it's made
- Heat the sesame oil in a pot and cook the pork until lightly browned.
- Add the kimchi and onion and stir-fry 5 minutes.
- Stir in the gochugaru and gochujang.
- Pour in the stock and bring to a boil; simmer 20 minutes.
- Add the tofu and sugar and cook 5 more minutes.
- Top with scallions and serve with rice.
Variations
- Tuna kimchi jjigae
- Vegetarian kimchi stew with mushrooms
- Budae-style with extra additions
Cook’s tip: The sourer the kimchi, the better the stew; old kimchi is perfect here.
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About this page
Description and method written by Intercontinental Chef. Home-style method; quantities are a starting point, so adjust to taste.
Photo credit
- Tuna kimchi-jjigae: Chloe Lim, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
