Spicy and Hearty Beltfish Stew (Galchi Jjigae)
A Fiery and Flavorful Beltfish Stew That Will Awaken Your Appetite
Introducing a beltfish stew so delicious, it’ll make you want to devour a whole bowl of rice! This hearty jjigae features tender beltfish and refreshing radish, creating a deep and rich broth. We’ve added spicy green peppers for an extra kick, making it the perfect companion for rice. You might find yourself reaching for a second bowl of rice, just for the broth alone!
Stew Ingredients- 300g prepared beltfish
- 1/4 radish (approx. 200g)
- 1/2 onion
- 1/2 stalk green onion
- 1 Korean green chili pepper
- 1/2 red chili pepper
- 1/4 zucchini
- 3 cups (720ml) water
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce for seasoning (at the end)
Spicy Seasoning Paste- 3 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp rice wine (cheongju)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp minced red chili pepper (or green chili pepper)
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesil-cheong)
- 3 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp rice wine (cheongju)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp minced red chili pepper (or green chili pepper)
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesil-cheong)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the cleaned beltfish lightly under cold running water and drain thoroughly in a sieve. No need to salt the fish for stew; this step is important for texture!
Step 2
Cut the radish into bite-sized cubes (about 2cm). Slice the onion thinly and the green onion diagonally to match the length of the radish. Slice the chili peppers diagonally as well. Slice the zucchini into similar-sized pieces.
Step 3
In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp red pepper flakes, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp rice wine, 2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp minced red chili pepper, and 2 Tbsp plum extract. Mix well to create a delicious seasoning paste. Letting the paste sit will allow the flavors to meld.
Step 4
In a deep pot, place the cubed radish at the bottom. Arrange the prepared beltfish pieces on top of the radish. The radish will help create a refreshing broth.
Step 5
Evenly sprinkle about half of the prepared seasoning paste over the beltfish. Then, pour in 3 cups (720ml) of water and add the sliced onion. Drizzle the remaining seasoning paste over the onion.
Step 6
Start by bringing the stew to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the sliced zucchini and chili peppers. Let it simmer gently until the ingredients are tender. Finally, taste the broth and add 1 Tbsp soy sauce if needed to adjust the seasoning. Your spicy and refreshing beltfish stew is ready!
