Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (2024)

Home Recipes Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe)

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (1)

by: Sarah

137 Comments

Jump to Recipe

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (2)

Kimchi stew, or kimchi jigae, is one of my favorite things to eat during the winter. When it’s chilly outside, there’s nothing better than a stone pot bubbling with this fiery red stew in front of you.

Adjusting Spiciness To Taste

While it looks incredibly spicy, I usually find this kimchi stew to be relatively mild. Despite their angry red color, Korean chili flakes are somewhat mild when compared to, say the crushed red pepper flakes you sprinkle over your cheese slice at the pizza parlor.

That said, feel free to adjust the recipe according to your spice tolerance. If an innocent buffalo wing sets you running, you might want to take a pass on this one. But if a healthy dash of Tabasco on your scrambled eggs sounds appealing, you can definitely handle the heat in this dish.

Discovering the Ease of Korean Home Cooking

As with any cuisine that’s unfamiliar toahome cook,I was once under the impression that cooking Korean food was hard. I reserved the indulgence for restaurants only, making pilgrimages to Manhattan’s Koreatown for heavy doses of banchan, Dubu Kimchi, and this Kimchi Jigae, my go-to order.

But the Internet changed that! In walks Maangchi, my favorite Korean food blogger, and she’s makin’ it look easy. Much like I hope The Woks of Life does for Chinese cooking (if I’m allowed to say that without sounding braggy). This recipe is based off her Kimchi Stew, with a few of my own tweaks.

It’s super easy to whip up, especially if you use a shortcut—store-bought broth. While many kimchi stew recipes, including Maangchi’s, call for a from-scratch broth made from kelp, dried anchovies, and other ingredients, using a good quality organic chicken, fish, or even beef stock can make kimchi jigae a reality in your kitchen in under an hour. Got it? Let’s begin.

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (3)

Oh, before we start…one more thing. You’ll notice in the photos here that I’ve made one serving of this Kimchi stew in my nifty single-serve Korean pot. The recipe written below can be cooked in a larger pot, and actually serves 6! But the steps in the photos below are all the same.

Recipe Instructions

In a large pot, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the onion, garlic, and pork belly, and cook for about 5 minutes, until the pork is lightly browned and the onions start to soften.

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (4)

Add the kimchi and fry for 2 minutes.

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (5)

Then add the salt, sugar, Korean chili flakes, gochujang (Korean red pepper paste), and broth. Stir until combined.

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (6)

Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (7)

Uncover and lay the firm tofu over the top. Replace the cover and simmer for another 10 minutes. Uncover for the last time and stir in the sesame oil.

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (8)

Garnish with the chopped scallion and serve immediately with steamed rice!

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (9)

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (10)

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (11)

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (12)

Looking for more authentic recipes? Subscribe to our email list and be sure to follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube!

5 from 40 votes

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe)

Kimchi stew, or kimchi jigae, is a fiery red stew served in a served in a stone pot. Use store-bought broth, add tofu and a protein to make this at home!

by: Kaitlin

Course:Soups and Stocks

Cuisine:Korean

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (13)

serves: 6 servings

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 30 minutes minutes

Total: 40 minutes minutes

Print

Rate

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 onion (thinly sliced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (sliced)
  • 8 ounces pork belly or shoulder (225g, thinly sliced)
  • 1 pound kimchi (450g, with juices, chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Korean chili flakes
  • 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
  • 3 cups chicken stock (700 ml, can substitute fish or beef stock)
  • 8 oz. firm tofu (225g, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 scallion (chopped)

Instructions

  • In a large pot, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the onion, garlic, and pork belly, and cook for about 5 minutes, until the pork is lightly browned and the onions start to soften.

  • Add the kimchi and fry for 2 minutes. Then add the salt, sugar, chili flakes, gochujang, and broth. Stir until combined. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.

  • Uncover and lay the tofu over the top. Replace the cover and simmer for another 10 minutes. Uncover for the last time and stir in the sesame oil. Garnish with the chopped scallion and serve immediately with steamed rice!

nutrition facts

Calories: 295kcal (15%) Carbohydrates: 7g (2%) Protein: 10g (20%) Fat: 26g (40%) Saturated Fat: 8g (40%) Cholesterol: 27mg (9%) Sodium: 460mg (19%) Potassium: 240mg (7%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 3g (3%) Vitamin A: 415IU (8%) Vitamin C: 2.6mg (3%) Calcium: 65mg (7%) Iron: 1.2mg (7%)

nutritional info disclaimer

TheWoksofLife.com is written and produced for informational purposes only. While we do our best to provide nutritional information as a general guideline to our readers, we are not certified nutritionists, and the values provided should be considered estimates. Factors such as brands purchased, natural variations in fresh ingredients, etc. will change the nutritional information in any recipe. Various online calculators also provide different results, depending on their sources. To obtain accurate nutritional information for a recipe, use your preferred nutrition calculator to determine nutritional information with the actual ingredients and quantities used.

Did You Make This?Tag us on Instagram @thewoksoflife, subscribe to our email list, and be sure to follow us on social for more recipes!

@thewoksoflife

You may also like…

  • Soondubu Jigae (Korean Soft Tofu Stew)

  • 10-Minute Korean Crispy Pork Belly Kimchi Bowls

  • Kimchi Fries

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (18)

About Sarah

Sarah is the older daughter/sister in The Woks of Life family. Creator of quick and easy recipes for harried home cooks and official Woks of Life photographer, she grew up on episodes of Ready Set Cook and Good Eats. She loves the outdoors (and of course, *cooking* outside), and her obsession with food continues to this day.

Previous PostHow to Make Homemade Chiu Chow Chili Sauce
Next Post Pork Sung Buns

Subscribe

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

137 Comments

Newest

OldestMost Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jigae Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

Is kimchi soup the same as kimchi jjigae? ›

Kimchi stew is thicker than kimchi soup. Kimchi soup is less salty than kimchi stew. Also, soup is always served in individual bowls, with rice. Traditionally in Korean cuisine stews were served in a big pot on the table, and the family would eat communally from the pot.

Is it okay to eat kimchi jjigae everyday? ›

Kimchi can be found in almost every Korean household. It is possible to buy kimchi jars in most supermarkets and online sites. Kimchi offers multiple health benefits and maintains the overall health of the body. It is often recommended to include kimchi in your daily diet.

Is kimchi stew healthy? ›

Kimchi is a fermented vegetable dish that can add a spicy, tangy kick to your meals. Although it can be high in sodium, it also serves up the good-for-you probiotics, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help your body ward off illness and stay healthy. If you haven't already, give kimchi a try!

What is the difference between kimchi jjigae and kimchi jjim? ›

What is the main difference you ask? In Kimchi Jjigae, kimchi is the shining star. But for Kimchi Jjim, the meat is the star of the dish and kimchi plays the supporting role. Nevertheless, you really need both ingredients to create this wonderful tasting Kimchi Jjim.

What do Koreans eat with kimchi jjigae? ›

The stew is typically paired with a bowl of hot sticky rice. To eat, take a spoon of the broth, along with a piece of kimchi and pork and pour over your rice. Then balance it on your spoon and take a large bite! Kimchi Jjigae is comfort food for virtually all Koreans.

Can I use Gochujang instead of Gochugaru for jjigae? ›

Gochujang - While different in texture, gochujang can provide the red color and balanced heat of Gochugaru. Use about half the amount of Gochugaru.

Can eating kimchi every day destroy gut bacteria? ›

Along with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, kimchi contains natural probiotic bacteria. If you eat them regularly, the probiotics in fermented foods can be beneficial to your gut microbiome. Studies suggest that eating kimchi on a daily basis could help to improve some digestive problems.

When should you not eat kimchi? ›

Kimchi spoilage and over-fermentation

It will continue to ferment at a cool temperature. If kimchi over-ferments, it will have a very vinegary odor and taste. It is not pleasant to eat raw, so it is often used for soups and stews. If any fermentation gets soft and slimy, then it is a sign of spoilage.

Does kimchi detox your body? ›

Kimchi is a healthy food because it provides beneficial bacteria. It helps balance your gastrointestinal tract by providing probiotics, cleansing digestive routes, and helping with digestion. The high-fibre content in kimchi also helps to detoxify the body.

Why does kimchi jjigae taste so good? ›

Delicious pork fat is infused into the spicy broth, and kimchi absorbs all the rich flavors from simmering with meat for a while. Since it's kimchi stew, it's less brothy and slightly thick, and the flavors are more concentrated than a typical soup.

Is kimchi good for your gut? ›

May support gut health

There is growing evidence that fermented foods such as kimchi may improve levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut, and may as a consequence improve symptoms such as constipation.

What is the difference between kimchi jjigae and soondubu? ›

Soondubu has a much softer and fluffier texture from the silken tofu and the egg that gets cracked in at the end. Kimchi jjigae uses firm tofu that doesn't break down in the stew, and uses a lot more kimchi which is the predominant flavor.

Can you eat kimchi jjigae without rice? ›

I make this dish all the time- it's super simple to prepare and hearty and delicious. You can eat it as is or add white rice to it. For a change of pace try brown or wild rice, or even quinoa! Kimchi-jjigae is a Korean staple and very popular in Japan as well.

Do you eat kimchi jjigae with rice? ›

It's one of the most popular stews in Korea and is featured at many meals and in traditional restaurants. There's just one thing to keep in mind when you're planning to make kimchi jjigae—it is spicy. Really, really spicy. That's why it's served with a lot of white rice, to help balance out all that heat.

What do Koreans call kimchi? ›

The Korean term "Kimchi" refers to fermented vegetables, and encompasses salt and seasoned vegetables. It is mainly served as a side dish with every meal, but also can be served as a main dish. Kimchi is mainly recognized as a spicy fermented cabbage dish globally.

What is the difference between soup and stew in Korean? ›

Thicker and saltier than soup, jjigae contains more solid ingredients than guk. The ratio of liquid to solid ingredients is around 4:6. Unlike guk, the key component of jjigae is the solid ingredients such as vegetables, tofu, fish or meat. It is common practice for families to share a pot of jjigae.

What is the difference between kimchi jjigae and soondubu jjigae? ›

The main ingredient in kimchi jjigae is kimchi, hence the name 'kimchi stew'. In soondubu jjigae, however, the main ingredient is the soft and silky tofu, hence the name 'extra soft tofu stew'. In terms of flavor, soondubu jjigae has a more delicate flavor than kimchi jjigae.

What does kimchi soup contain? ›

Stir water, kimchi, pork shoulder, hot pepper paste, sugar, and salt together in a pot; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until meat is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in green onions.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lilliana Bartoletti

Last Updated:

Views: 6236

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lilliana Bartoletti

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 58866 Tricia Spurs, North Melvinberg, HI 91346-3774

Phone: +50616620367928

Job: Real-Estate Liaison

Hobby: Graffiti, Astronomy, Handball, Magic, Origami, Fashion, Foreign language learning

Introduction: My name is Lilliana Bartoletti, I am a adventurous, pleasant, shiny, beautiful, handsome, zealous, tasty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.