Nostalgic Flavor! Rich and Deep Stir-Fried Aged Kimchi Recipe
The Transformation of Old Kimchi: Deep Flavors from Stir-Fried Aged Kimchi
I made a rich and deep-flavored stir-fried aged kimchi using kimchi that has been fermented for 2-3 years. This is a side dish we often made in the past, when kimchi refrigerators weren’t common, to use up the excess kimchi around this time of year. I tried to recreate the nostalgic taste of those days, and it turned out to be surprisingly delicious. A taste of nostalgia indeed! This dish perfectly captures the unique charm of aged kimchi.
Main Ingredients- 600g well-fermented aged kimchi
- 1 handful of anchovies for broth (small size)
- 2 cups water (approx. 400ml)
Seasoning & Aromatics- 0.5 Tbsp butter (or cooking oil)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 Tbsp green onion (chopped)
- 1.5 Tbsp perilla oil (for nutty aroma)
- 0.5 Tbsp butter (or cooking oil)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 Tbsp green onion (chopped)
- 1.5 Tbsp perilla oil (for nutty aroma)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, lightly rinse the aged kimchi under running water to adjust its sourness, then squeeze out excess water thoroughly. Cut it into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm). Removing the tough outer stems and using mostly the inner core will result in a more tender dish.
Step 2
Place the anchovies for broth in a sieve and shake lightly to remove any small debris. Remove their heads and innards (to prevent bitterness). Heat a dry pan over low heat (without oil) and lightly toast the anchovies until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them. Toasting removes any fishy smell and enhances their savory flavor.
Step 3
Push the toasted anchovies to one side of the pan. Add 0.5 Tbsp of butter to the empty space and let it melt slowly over low heat. The melted butter will add a rich, nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with the aged kimchi. (If you don’t have butter, cooking oil can be used instead.)
Step 4
Finely mince 5 cloves of garlic and chop about 1 Tbsp of green onion. Add the minced garlic and chopped green onion to the pan with the melted butter. Stir-fry over low heat until aromatic, being careful not to burn them. Their fragrance will infuse into the oil.
Step 5
Now, combine the toasted anchovies with the other ingredients and stir-fry together. Sauté for a moment to let the savory flavor of the anchovies meld with the aroma of garlic and green onion. Next, drizzle in 1.5 Tbsp of perilla oil, add the chopped aged kimchi, and stir-fry once more until the seasonings are evenly distributed. Continue cooking until the aged kimchi softens slightly.
Step 6
Pour in 2 cups of water and mix everything well. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pan or leave it uncovered, and simmer gently until the liquid has reduced and the aged kimchi is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once the liquid is almost gone and the seasoning coats the kimchi, your delicious stir-fried aged kimchi is ready! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
