Easy Kimchi Stew Recipe (Jjigae) With Pork and Tofu (2024)

Published: · Modified: · This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Recipe

Bring the wave of Korean dramas right into your kitchen with this easy recipe for kimchi stew with pork and tofu! This popular Korean dish, kimchi jjigae is deliciously rich and flavorful! A bowl of salty, sour, sweet, and spicy stew in one!

Easy Kimchi Stew Recipe (Jjigae) With Pork and Tofu (1)

I've been cooking this dish for a while but have not quite gotten the right balance of saltiness and spiciness until recently. I always skip adding the kimchi brine that was why my kimchi stew before was just meh and bland.

My love for kimchi started during our trip to South Korea in 2017. When you eat at any diner in Korea, there's always kimchi and lots of sides in every dish! Authentic kimchi is not just spicy and salty but amazingly has a tinge of sweetness. The cabbage tastes fresh and crunchy too.

Make sure to try my homemade kimchi recipe.

I'm glad that here in the US, Asian store is abundant. I usually buy kimchi in bulk. A 10-pound jar costs $20. I use it all the time, especially when I cook this stew or as a side to any fried food I eat. This stew is a household favorite I have in rotation twice a month.

How To Make Kimchi Stew with Pork and Tofu?

Easy Kimchi Stew Recipe (Jjigae) With Pork and Tofu (2)

Cooking kimchi stew is easy and simple using store-bought broth like chicken, beef, or vegetables. In Korea, they usually make their stock from scratch using anchovy.

But I'm using chicken broth for this recipe because that's what I have on hand. You can also use beef or vegetable stock.

To make kimchi stew, you will need sesame oil, garlic, onions, pork belly, kimchi, its brine, broth, gochujang (Korean red pepper paste), salt, sugar, firm tofu, and scallions.

Except for kimchi, I never really liked spicy food so this version is a bit mild on the spiciness. If you like hot and spicy kimchi stew, add more red pepper paste and chili flakes.

You will need a pot to cook this stew. In Korean dramas, they usually serve this in a stone bowl called dolsot.

In medium-high heat, start heating a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Saute 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, medium-size sliced onions, and half a pound of pork belly for 5 minutes or until the pork is n longer red.

Add 2 cups of chopped kimchi along with 1/4 cup of kimchi brine. Simmer for 2 minutes. Pour in 2 cups of broth and add 2 teaspoons of gochujang and 2 teaspoons of sugar. Season with salt and simmer for 10 minutes. Topped with sliced firm tofu and sprinkle with scallions. Add a splash of sesame oil, cover the pot, and simmer for 2 minutes.

Kimchi stew with pork and tofu is best served with rice and fried salted mackerel.

Easy Kimchi Stew Recipe (Jjigae) With Pork and Tofu (3)

What to do with leftover kimchi stew? What I always do with the leftover stew is turn it into ramen or udon. I either add ramen or udon noodles to the soup and stir in an egg.

Easy Kimchi Stew Recipe (Jjigae) With Pork and Tofu (4)

Kimchi Stew Recipe with Pork and Tofu

Delicrunch.co

Bring the wave of Korean dramas right into your kitchen with this easy recipe for kimchi stew with pork and tofu! This popular Korean dish, also known as kimchi jjigae is deliciously rich and flavorful! A bowl of salty, sour, sweet, and spicy stew in one!

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Soup

Cuisine Asian, Korean

Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 onion medium-size, sliced
  • 2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • 1/2 pound pork belly thinly sliced
  • 2 cups kimchi chopped
  • 1/4 cup kimchi brine it usually comes with the kimchi
  • 2 cups broth chicken, beef or vegetable
  • 2 teaspoons gochujang (korean red pepper paste)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • salt to season
  • 12 oz firm tofu sliced
  • 1 stem scallions sliced
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions

  • In a pot, heat oil in medium-high heat and saute the onions, garlic and the pork belly for 5 minutes or until the pork is not red anymore.

  • Add chopped kimchi along with its brine. Simmer for 2 minutes. Pour in broth and add in gochujang, and sugar. Season with salt and simmer for 10 minutes.

  • Topped with sliced firm tofu and sprinkle with scallions. Add a splash of sesame oil, cover the pot and simmer for 2 minutes.

  • Serve with rice.

Notes

For more spiciness, add another teaspoon of gochujang and 1 teaspoon chili flakes.

While you are here, checkout my other recipes.

Homemade Broccoli Cheddar Soup Your Ultimate Comfort Food

Baked Chicken Wings Recipe in BBQ sauce and Honey!

More Soups

  • 25 Best Broccoli Recipes
  • 25 Best Winter Soup Recipes
  • 35 Best Butternut Squash Recipes
  • 25 Best Bell Pepper Recipes

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. LucyA says

    Easy Kimchi Stew Recipe (Jjigae) With Pork and Tofu (9)
    First time making Jjigae... it turned out great and the family loved it!
    I only tried it because of this easy to follow recipe 🙂

    Reply

  2. Sam R says

    Easy Kimchi Stew Recipe (Jjigae) With Pork and Tofu (10)
    This was so tasty and completely satisfied my pork belly and kimchi craving!
    I was wondering if the nutrition info could be provided? specifically the micronutrients. thank you!!

    Reply

  3. Andi says

    Easy Kimchi Stew Recipe (Jjigae) With Pork and Tofu (11)
    So delicious! I subbed out for pork tenderloin slices, agave syrup and toss in some vermicelli noodles while cooking instead of serving over rice. My new favourite Fall dish!

    Reply

Easy Kimchi Stew Recipe (Jjigae) With Pork and Tofu (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Kimchi Jjigae and tofu stew? ›

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.

What is a substitute for pork belly in kimchi stew? ›

I love to use pork belly for this recipe to bring a little of fat to the stew, but pork shoulder/butt or spam work as great substitutes. Feel free to leave out the meat for a vegetarian alternative. Tofu is a traditional ingredient used for this dish.

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.

Which tofu is best for soup? ›

Firm and extra-firm tofu are dense and solid and hold up well in stir-frys, soups or on the grill. Soft tofu is good for soups and making dips or spreads, where a smoother texture is desirable and the recipe calls for blending, mashing or puréeing.

Why is my kimchi stew bitter? ›

Lack of Fermentation

Freshly made Kimchi usually have a slight bitter aftertaste when compared to fermented packed ones sold in Supermarkets. This is because JIN Kimchi is made fresh daily and it's so fresh it has not had enough time to ferment.

What is the difference between kimchi soup and kimchi stew? ›

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.

What is the difference between kimchi Guk and kimchi Jjigae? ›

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.

Can you eat kimchi jjigae without rice? ›

Jjigae, on the other hand, is defined by a potent and complex flavor profile; diluting it with rice before your first bite is just a waste of a good jjigae. The only way to get the most out of it is to get the full blast of flavor in one spoonful, then soak up the powerful aftertaste with a bite of rice.

What is the difference between kimchi jjigae and soft tofu 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.

Is kimchi soup good for stomach? ›

Improves digestive health

The fiber and probiotics in kimchi can help you maintain a healthy digestive system. The probiotics in fermented food can help reduce the negative symptoms of many gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and colon inflammation.

What does jjigae mean in Korean? ›

Jjigae (Korean: 찌개, Korean pronunciation: [tɕ͈iɡɛ]) are Korean stews.

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.

Does kimchi cleanse your body? ›

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.

What is the difference between kimchi and kimchi jjigae? ›

As a result, kimchi-jjigae is often cooked using older, more fermented, and "riper" kimchi, which has a much more pronounced flavor and contains higher amounts of probiotics. (Living bacteria in fresh, uncooked kimchi will not survive the cooking process.)

Is kimchi soup the same as kimchi jjigae? ›

Kimchi soup, called jjigae, is a satisfying example. The fermented kimchi vegetables quickly provide deep flavor to the broth, so the soup can be produced in little more than half an hour.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Ray Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 5997

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ray Christiansen

Birthday: 1998-05-04

Address: Apt. 814 34339 Sauer Islands, Hirtheville, GA 02446-8771

Phone: +337636892828

Job: Lead Hospitality Designer

Hobby: Urban exploration, Tai chi, Lockpicking, Fashion, Gunsmithing, Pottery, Geocaching

Introduction: My name is Ray Christiansen, I am a fair, good, cute, gentle, vast, glamorous, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.