Kimchi Jjigae

Kimchi Jjigae (김치 찌개) is a spicy Korean stew made with fermented kimchi, pork belly and tofu. Learn the secrets for the best Kimchi Jjigae with this recipe.

Course Soups & Stews

Cuisine Korean

Level Beginner

Main Ingredient Pork

Diet Low Sugar, Low-Carb

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 615kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Marinate

150 grams skinless pork belly (sliced thinly)
15 grams garlic (3 large cloves, grated)
7 grams fresh ginger (grated)
1 tablespoon gukganjang (Korean soup soy sauce)
1 tablespoon Soju

Stir Fry

110 grams onion (½ small sliced thin)
200 grams kimchi (~1 cup tightly packed)

Soup

½ cup kimchi juice (squeezed from kimchi)
1 ½ cups water
2 teaspoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
2 teaspoons doenjang (Korean bean paste)
2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean chili flakes to taste)
225 grams soft tofu (cut into large cubes)

Finish

2 scallions (thinly sliced)
1 tablespoon cultured unsalted butter

Grams + US Cups - US Standard

Instructions

Marinate the 150 grams skinless pork belly with the 15 grams garlic, 7 grams fresh ginger, 1 tablespoon gukganjang and s1 tablespoon Soju while you prepare the other ingredients.
150 grams skinless pork belly, 15 grams garlic, 7 grams fresh ginger, 1 tablespoon gukganjang, 1 tablespoon Soju
Heat a heavy bottomed pot until hot and then add the pork belly. Allow some of the fat to render out of the pork belly, then add the 110 grams onion and 200 grams kimchi. Sauté until the mixture is very fragrant.
110 grams onion, 200 grams kimchi
Add the ½ cup kimchi juice, 1 ½ cups water, 2 teaspoons gochujang, and 2 teaspoons doenjang, stirring everything together to combine.
½ cup kimchi juice, 1 ½ cups water, 2 teaspoons gochujang, 2 teaspoons doenjang
Bring to a boil and taste for spiciness, adjust with 2 tablespoons gochugaru to increase the heat to where you want it.
2 tablespoons gochugaru
Add the 225 grams soft tofu, turn down the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the pork and kimchi are tender.
225 grams soft tofu
When you're ready to serve the kimchi jjigae, add the 2 scallions and 1 tablespoon cultured unsalted butter and give it a quick stir to incorporate. Put a trivet on the table and serve it straight out of the pot along with a bowl of rice.
2 scallions, 1 tablespoon cultured unsalted butter

Nutrition