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.

Kimchi-jjigae

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

Serves 3-4Time 40 minutes

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

  1. Heat the sesame oil in a pot and cook the pork until lightly browned.
  2. Add the kimchi and onion and stir-fry 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the gochugaru and gochujang.
  4. Pour in the stock and bring to a boil; simmer 20 minutes.
  5. Add the tofu and sugar and cook 5 more minutes.
  6. 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)