Flavorful Pork Belly Doenjang Jjigae
How to Make the Best Pork Belly Doenjang Jjigae
Here’s how to make Doenjang Jjigae with pork belly, a comforting and hearty Korean stew that warms you from the inside out. It’s a truly beloved national dish!
Main Ingredients
- 300g Pork Belly (thinly sliced): Adds rich flavor to the stew.
- 300g Tofu: Provides a creamy texture and protein. Cut into large cubes.
- 1/4 stalk Scallions: Finely chopped for a fresh aroma.
- 1/2 Onion: Diced for sweetness and a refreshing taste.
- 2 Shiitake Mushrooms: Sliced into cubes for a chewy texture and deep flavor.
- 1 Red Chili Pepper: Adds color and a mild spicy kick. Finely chopped.
- 1 Green Chili Pepper: For those who like it spicier. Finely chopped.
- 1.2L Water: The base liquid for the stew.
Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic: Removes any gamey odor and enhances flavor.
- 3 Tbsp Doenjang (fermented soybean paste): The key ingredient for a savory and deep flavor.
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (red chili paste): Complements the doenjang for added umami and spiciness.
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (red chili flakes): For color and adjustable heat.
- 2 Tbsp Guk-ganjang (soup soy sauce): Adds umami and helps season the stew.
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce: Boosts the savory depth. Can be substituted with soup soy sauce if unavailable.
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic: Removes any gamey odor and enhances flavor.
- 3 Tbsp Doenjang (fermented soybean paste): The key ingredient for a savory and deep flavor.
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (red chili paste): Complements the doenjang for added umami and spiciness.
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (red chili flakes): For color and adjustable heat.
- 2 Tbsp Guk-ganjang (soup soy sauce): Adds umami and helps season the stew.
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce: Boosts the savory depth. Can be substituted with soup soy sauce if unavailable.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the vegetables for the stew. Finely chop the scallions, green chili peppers, and red chili peppers into about 0.5cm thick pieces. You can also slice them thinly.
Step 2
Dice the onion into about 1.5cm cubes to add sweetness and a refreshing taste. Cube the shiitake mushrooms to a similar size. If you have zucchini, dicing and adding it would also be delicious.
Step 3
Cut the tofu into approximately 1.5cm cubes, similar in size to the other ingredients, for a soft texture. Be careful not to cut them too small, as they might break apart while cooking.
Step 4
Now, let’s start cooking the jjigae! Add the thinly sliced pork belly to a pot, along with 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Stir-fry over medium heat until the pork belly is well cooked and has released its fat. It’s important to render the fat properly.
Step 5
When the pork belly is almost fully cooked, add 3 tablespoons of doenjang and 1 tablespoon of gochujang. Reduce the heat to low to prevent burning the pastes. Stir-fry together with the pork belly for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir-frying the pastes like this reduces any potential bitterness from the doenjang and enhances its deep, savory flavor.
Step 6
Once the pork belly and seasonings are well sautéed, it’s time to build the stew’s base. Pour in 1.2 liters of water. Then, add 1 tablespoon of gochugaru, 2 tablespoons of guk-ganjang, and 1 tablespoon of fish sauce to balance the flavors.
Step 7
Return the heat to medium and add the diced onion and shiitake mushrooms. Gently stir just once to combine everything. Avoid over-stirring, as this can break down the vegetables.
Step 8
Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the vegetables to soften, infusing the broth with their sweetness and umami.
Step 9
After 10 minutes, remove the lid and add the cubed tofu, chopped scallions, red chili pepper, and green chili pepper. Adding these towards the end ensures the tofu stays intact and soft, while the scallions and peppers retain their fresh aroma. Bring to a gentle boil again.
Step 10
Finally, taste the stew and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add a little more fish sauce or soup soy sauce if needed to reach your desired saltiness. Once all the flavors are harmonized, your delicious Pork Belly Doenjang Jjigae is ready! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
