Go Back
–+ servings
Print

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 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 2 people

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 (1/2 small sliced thin)
  • 200 grams kimchi (~1 cup tightly packed)

Soup

  • 1/2 kimchi juice (squeezed from kimchi)
  • 1 1/2 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

Instructions

  1. Marinate the pork belly with the garlic, ginger, gukganjang and soju while you prepare the other ingredients.
  2. 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 onions and kimchi. Sauté until the mixture is very fragrant.
  3. Add the kimchi juice, water, gochujang, and doengjang, stirring everything together to combine.
  4. Bring to a boil and taste for spiciness, adjust with gochugaru to increase the heat to where you want it.
  5. Add the tofu, turn down the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the pork and kimchi are tender.
  6. When you're ready to serve the kimchi jjigae, add the green onions and 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.