Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Fermented Soybean Paste Stew)

About This Recipe

Doenjang jjigae is the Korean equivalent of Japanese miso soup, but deeper, earthier and more substantial. Made with doenjang (fermented Korean soybean paste), anchovies or kelp dashi, tofu, courgette, mushrooms, potato and often clams or other shellfish, it is served alongside rice at almost every Korean meal. The doenjang varies from region to region and family to family — homemade doenjang aged for years produces a particularly complex flavour. The stew is traditionally made in a thick earthenware pot (ttukbaegi) that retains heat and allows it to bubble on the table. Unlike Japanese miso soup, doenjang jjigae is heartily seasoned and is a main course in its own right.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 3 tbspdoenjang (Korean fermented soybean paste)
• 300 gfirm tofu, cubed
• 1courgette (zucchini), sliced
• 1 mediumpotato, cubed
• 100 gmushrooms (shiitake or enoki), sliced
• 1onion, roughly diced
• 10dried anchovies (for stock, optional)
• 1dried kelp (dashima) strip
• 3 clovesgarlic, minced
• 1 tbspgochugaru (Korean chilli flakes)
• 700 mlwater
• 1 tspsesame oil
• 2spring onions, sliced

Instructions

1. 1

   Make anchovy stock

   Simmer dried anchovies and kelp in 700 ml water for 10 minutes. Discard anchovies and kelp. (Or use plain water for a simpler broth.)

2. 2

   Dissolve doenjang

   Whisk doenjang into the warm stock until dissolved. Add garlic and gochugaru.

3. 3

   Add vegetables

   Add potato and onion to the pot. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes.

4. 4

   Add tofu and mushrooms

   Add courgette, mushrooms and tofu. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until all vegetables are tender.

5. 5

   Finish and serve

   Stir in sesame oil and sliced spring onions. Taste and adjust with extra doenjang if needed. Serve bubbling hot in the cooking pot alongside steamed rice.

Variations

• •

  Add clams or mussels in the last 3 minutes for a seafood version.

• •

  Sundubu jjigae: substitute soft silken tofu and add an egg cracked in at the end for a luxurious variation.

Storage

Keeps in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat gently.

Frequently Asked Questions