김치찌개

Kimchi Jjigae

Pronunciation: keem-chee jee-gae
Protein: Beef
Cooking Method: Grilled
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Hot

Description

Kimchi Jjigae is a spicy, savory Korean stew made with aged kimchi, pork belly, tofu, and vegetables. The fermented kimchi provides a deep, tangy flavor that intensifies with age, while the pork adds richness. This hearty stew is a comfort food staple in Korean households and restaurants alike.

Ingredients

Aged kimchi (sour kimchi)
Pork belly
Tofu
Onions
Garlic
Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
Gochujang
Anchovy broth
Green onions

Variations

Variations include adding tuna (chamchi kimchi jjigae), beef (soegogi kimchi jjigae), or additional vegetables. Some regions use different types of kimchi, such as radish kimchi.

Fun Facts

The older and more fermented the kimchi, the better the jjigae tastes. Many Koreans deliberately let kimchi age specifically for making this stew.