Spam and Potato Jjigae (Jjageuli): The Ultimate Rice Thief!
The Crown Jewel of Dormitory Stews! Experience Spam’s Glamorous Transformation with Baek Jong-won’s Potato Jjageuli
Isn’t Baek Jong-won’s Potato Jjageuli the epitome of a satisfying stew for those living alone? This spam stew, when mixed with rice, tastes just like dakbokkeumtang (spicy braised chicken)! It’s simple and easy to make, yet has an incredibly high success rate. There’s a reason why the ‘White Teacher’ loves it so much! Simmered until thick and savory, you won’t need any other side dishes when you mix it with rice! The second time I ate it, I added rice directly into the stew and stir-fried it, then wrapped it in seaweed, which was another delightful experience^^ Check out the video for Spam Potato Jjageuli! ^^
Main Ingredients- 2 medium potatoes
- 1 small can of Spam
- 1 onion
- 2-3 Cheongyang peppers (Korean chili peppers)
- 1/4 stalk of green onion
- 400ml water
Seasoning Mix- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper paste (gochujang)
- 1 Tbsp mirin (cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp soybean paste (doenjang)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper paste (gochujang)
- 1 Tbsp mirin (cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp soybean paste (doenjang)
- A pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your vegetables. Chop the potatoes into large, bite-sized cubes (about 2cm). This size helps them cook evenly and maintain their texture without turning mushy. Slice the onion into similar-sized pieces as the potatoes. Finely chop the green onion. For the Cheongyang peppers, thinly slice them diagonally – these add a wonderful spicy kick!
Step 2
Let’s make the delicious seasoning mix that’s key to this jjageuli! In a mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of gochugaru (red pepper flakes), 1 tablespoon of gochujang (red pepper paste), 1 tablespoon of mirin, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of doenjang (soybean paste), and a pinch of black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined. Having the seasoning ready beforehand will make cooking much smoother.
Step 3
Spam is the secret ingredient that adds savory depth and a satisfying bite to this stew! You can dice the Spam into small cubes, or for an even richer flavor distribution, gently mash it with a fork. This helps the Spam release its delicious flavor and absorb the seasoning better. Prepare it according to your preference – diced or mashed.
Step 4
Now, let’s start cooking! In a pot, combine the large-cubed potatoes, sliced onions, mashed or diced Spam, and the prepared seasoning mix. Pour in 400ml of water. Stir everything together over high heat until well combined. Bring it to a boil.
Step 5
Once the stew begins to boil vigorously, reduce the heat to medium. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer for another 5 minutes. This allows the potatoes and other ingredients to start softening and absorbing the flavors of the seasoning.
Step 6
After 5 minutes, remove the lid and add the diagonally sliced Cheongyang peppers. Now, lower the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. The goal here is to let the stew thicken and the flavors to concentrate. You want the broth to become rich and slightly reduced, perfect for spooning over rice.
Step 7
Finally, add the chopped green onions. Let it simmer for another moment until it comes back to a gentle boil. The fresh aroma of the green onions will add a wonderful finishing touch. Your delicious Spam and Potato Jjageuli is now ready!
Step 8
Serve this hearty jjageuli hot over a bowl of steamed rice. Mash it slightly with the rice for an incredibly satisfying bite. The combination of soft potatoes, savory Spam, and the spicy, savory broth is pure comfort food and a true ‘rice thief’!
