Rich and Tender Pork Belly Kimchi Stew (Samgyeopsal Kimchi Jjim)
Your Go-To Dinner: Flavorful Pork Belly Kimchi Stew Recipe
A fail-proof dish as long as you have well-fermented kimchi! Let’s make a hearty and satisfying Pork Belly Kimchi Stew that requires no other side dishes.
Main Ingredients- 4 strips of pork belly (approx. 400-500g)
- 1 head of well-fermented napa cabbage kimchi
- 1 large onion
- 2-3 Cheongyang chili peppers (or to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the pork belly to remove any gamey odor and give it a preliminary seasoning. Cut the 4 strips of pork belly into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4 cm). In a bowl, combine the pork belly with 2 Tbsp minced garlic, a pinch of black pepper, and 2 Tbsp cooking wine (if using). Gently mix and let it marinate for about 10 minutes.
Step 2
Now, let’s build the base of the kimchi stew. Take a deep, wide pot and place the entire head of kimchi inside, or cut it into manageable pieces. Sprinkle the sliced onion (1 large), minced ginger (1/2 Tbsp), and the remaining 2 Tbsp minced garlic evenly over the kimchi. Arrange the marinated pork belly pieces beautifully among the kimchi layers. Drizzle 5 Tbsp soy sauce and 2 Tbsp sugar over the kimchi and pork belly to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 3
We’ll add some broth for richness. Instead of plain water, using rice water will create a deeper and smoother flavor for your kimchi stew. Pour in enough rice water to generously cover the kimchi. Dissolve 1 Tbsp of doenjang (fermented soybean paste) in the rice water and add it to the pot. Doenjang adds a wonderful umami depth and enhances the flavors of the kimchi and pork belly.
Step 4
Finally, let’s add the ingredients for a spicy kick. Add the sliced Cheongyang chili peppers (2-3) scattered across the top, and sprinkle 5 Tbsp of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) evenly. Add another light sprinkle of black pepper. After this initial seasoning, bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. If you find the seasoning is lacking after cooking, you can adjust it with salt or oligodang to your preference.
Step 5
Cover the pot and bring the stew to a rolling boil over high heat. Once it starts boiling vigorously, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 25 minutes. Then, lower the heat to low and continue to cook for another 20 minutes, for a total of approximately 45 minutes of simmering. Cooking it thoroughly like this will make the kimchi incredibly tender and infuse it with a rich, deep flavor. Once the kimchi is perfectly cooked and the broth has thickened slightly, your delicious Pork Belly Kimchi Stew is ready! Serve hot with a bowl of steamed rice.
