Savory Korean Soybean Paste Stew (Doenjang Jjigae)
Don’t Overcomplicate Doenjang Jjigae! Add This ‘Magic Flavor Powder’ for an Irresistible Taste
If you have plenty of vegetables at home, make this delicious Doenjang Jjigae. It’s simple, quick, and incredibly satisfying. Perfect for a comforting home-cooked meal.
Ingredients- Water, 2 paper cups (approx. 400ml)
- Zucchini, a small amount
- Onion, a small amount
- Shiitake mushroom, a small amount
- Pepper (chili pepper), a small amount
- Doenjang (Korean soybean paste), 1 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste), 1 Tbsp
- Dashida (or similar umami enhancer), 1 tsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash and prepare all the vegetables for the stew. Slice the zucchini and onion into half-moons or small squares, about 0.5cm thick. Remove the stems from the shiitake mushrooms and thinly slice the caps. If you like a spicy kick, thinly slice a chili pepper diagonally. (Tip: If the zucchini skin looks a bit wilted, you can peel a thin layer off with a vegetable peeler for a softer texture.)
Step 2
Pour 2 paper cups of water (about 400ml) into a pot. Add 1 tablespoon of doenjang. Stir well with a spoon to dissolve the doenjang completely, ensuring there are no lumps.
Step 3
Add 1 tablespoon of gochujang to the water and doenjang mixture. Gochujang helps to balance the saltiness of the doenjang and adds a pleasant spicy depth.
Step 4
Stir in 1 teaspoon of Dashida (or your preferred umami seasoning powder) to enhance the savory flavor. Mix everything together with a spoon until well combined.
Step 5
Add all the prepared vegetables – zucchini, onion, shiitake mushrooms, and chili pepper – generously into the pot. Bring the stew to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the ingredients to cook through and the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 6
As the stew simmers, skim off any foam that rises to the surface using a spoon. Removing the foam will result in a cleaner and clearer broth.
Step 7
Once all the vegetables are tender and the broth is rich with flavor, your delicious and comforting Doenjang Jjigae is ready! Serve hot, perhaps over a bowl of steamed rice, and enjoy.
