Kimchi Pork Tofu Stew (Kimchi Jjigae)
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Cuisine
Korean
Author:
Big Asia Supermarket Online
Servings
4 people
Calories
506
Kimchi jjigae is one of Korea’s most loved comfort dishes, known for its rich, spicy and slightly tangy broth. Made with aged kimchi, pork belly, tofu and pantry staples like gochugaru, soy sauce and sesame oil, this stew is bold, warming and perf...
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
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300 g pork belly or pork shoulder, sliced
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2 cups aged kimchi, roughly chopped
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1 tbsp kimchi juice, optional but recommended
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300 g firm tofu, sliced
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1 small onion, sliced
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2 spring onions, sliced
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2 cups water or anchovy stock
Soup Base
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1 tbsp sesame oil
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1 tbsp Korean chilli flakes, gochugaru
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1 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tsp fish sauce
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1 tsp sugar, optional, to balance sourness
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2 cloves garlic, minced
Optional Add-ins
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Enoki mushrooms
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Napa cabbage
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Korean rice cakes
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Extra chilli oil
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Instant noodles or udon
Directions
1. Fry the Pork and Kimchi
Heat sesame oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the sliced pork and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly browned.
Add the chopped kimchi and garlic, then stir-fry for another 3 minutes. This helps release the kimchi’s flavour and gives the stew a deeper, richer taste.
2. Build the Broth
Add the water or anchovy stock, kimchi juice, gochugaru, soy sauce, fish sauce and sugar if using.
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes so the pork becomes tender and the broth develops a spicy, tangy flavour.
3. Add the Tofu
Gently place the tofu slices into the stew. Try not to stir too much, so the tofu stays in pieces.
Simmer for another 5 minutes until the tofu is warmed through.
4. Finish the Stew
Add the sliced onion and spring onions. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
Taste and adjust with extra soy sauce, fish sauce or kimchi juice if needed.
Recipe Note
Serving Notes
Serve hot with steamed rice and extra spring onions on top. The stew should taste spicy, savoury and slightly sour, with the pork adding richness and the tofu soaking up all that kimchi broth.
Kimchi jjigae is perfect for cooler nights, lazy dinners or whenever you want something comforting without overcomplicating dinner.
Leftover Ideas
Kimchi Noodle Soup
Add instant noodles, udon or glass noodles to leftover stew for a quick next-day lunch.
Kimchi Fried Rice Base
Reduce the leftover stew until thick, then stir through cooked rice and top with a fried egg.
Hotpot Upgrade
Add mushrooms, rice cakes, napa cabbage and extra tofu to turn the leftover broth into a Korean-style hotpot.
Nutrition
Nutrition
- per serving
- Calories
- 506
- Carbs
- 22 grams
- 7%
- Protein
- 44 grams
- 88%
- Fat
- 27 grams
- 41%
- Saturated Fat
- 6 grams
- 39%
- Cholesterol
- 102 milligrams
- 34%
- Fiber
- 3 grams
- 13%
- Sugar
- 3 grams
- Sodium
- 1307 milligrams
- 57%
- Iron
- 8 milligrams
- 46%
- Potassium
- 844 milligrams
- 24%