Hearty and Savory Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Soybean Paste Stew)
The Ultimate Guide to Making Delicious Doenjang Jjigae at Home!
I’m sharing a nostalgic Doenjang Jjigae recipe that my husband and I used to make often in our early married days. It’s a perfect home-cooked meal! I’ll walk you through the secrets to cooking the most flavorful Doenjang Jjigae, step by step. It’s so good, it’ll make your rice disappear in no time!
Main Ingredients- 1 stalk Green Onion
- 1/2 block Firm Tofu
- 3 Korean Green Chilies
- 1/4 Zucchini
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s prepare the ingredients for a delicious pot of Doenjang Jjigae. This beloved home-style dish can be quickly made with surprisingly simple ingredients. First, thoroughly wash and prepare one stalk of fresh green onion.
Step 2
If you slice the green onions and store them in the freezer in portions, they become very convenient for not only making Doenjang Jjigae but also for various other dishes later. Try this tip to save cooking time.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare a pot and make the anchovy broth, which is the foundation of flavor. Add 800ml (4 cups) of water and 4-5 dried anchovies for broth to the pot, and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Anchovy broth adds a deep, rich flavor to the stew.
Step 4
Once the broth starts boiling, dissolve 1.5 tablespoons of doenjang smoothly into the broth without any clumps. Dissolving the doenjang well ensures the stew is smooth and not lumpy, resulting in a mellow flavor. Stir occasionally while simmering.
Step 5
Adjust the amount of Korean green chilies and minced garlic according to your preference. Add more if you like it spicy, or a bit more garlic for a sharper flavor. It’s best to customize the level of spiciness to your taste.
Step 6
Add the prepared green onions, minced garlic, and roughly chopped zucchini to the pot and let it boil vigorously. The aroma will become wonderfully fragrant as the vegetables meld with the broth.
Step 7
Add 1/2 block of firm tofu, cut into bite-sized pieces, for a soft texture. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of gochugaru for both visual appeal and enhanced flavor. This step truly elevates the overall taste of the Doenjang Jjigae.
Step 8
Simmer until all the ingredients are tender and the stew is bubbling merrily, and your savory and slightly spicy Doenjang Jjigae is complete! Enjoy it with a hot bowl of rice. This single stew is so delicious, it’ll make you finish your rice in a flash!
