Spam Kimchi Stew: The Ultimate Rice Thief Recipe
Spam Kimchi Stew Recipe
This is the famous Spam Kimchi Stew that’s a true ‘rice thief’! Even kimchi and meat alone make a delicious stew, but adding Spam takes it to a whole new level of deliciousness. Adding green onions at the end and eating them with the broth is incredibly tasty.
Main Ingredients
- 100g Pork for stew (neck or shoulder recommended)
- 1/2 can Spam Classic (approx. 200g)
- 1 teacup portion of aged kimchi (approx. 200g)
- 1 stalk Green Onion
- 300ml Water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thinly slice the green onion diagonally. This preparation makes the stew visually appealing and enhances its flavor.
Step 2
Cut the Spam into bite-sized cubes, about 1cm thick. You can blanch the Spam in boiling water to remove excess oil, but it’s optional for this recipe.
Step 3
In a pot or Korean earthenware pot (ttukbaegi), add the well-fermented aged kimchi first. If your kimchi is too sour, you can add a little more sugar.
Step 4
Place the pork cut for stew on top of the kimchi. The juices from the pork will contribute to a richer and deeper flavor in the stew.
Step 5
Now, it’s time to sauté the kimchi and pork together. Stir-fry over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes until the kimchi softens and the pork is slightly cooked. This step helps to eliminate any strong kimchi smell and enhances the savory flavors.
Step 6
Once the kimchi is softened from sautéing, pour in the 300ml of water. The pork doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this stage; it will continue to cook as the stew simmers.
Step 7
Add the seasoning ingredients to the sautéed kimchi and pork broth: 2 Tbsp soy sauce for soup, 1 Tbsp gochugaru for spiciness, and 1 Tbsp sugar to balance the kimchi’s sourness. Stir well to combine the flavors.
Step 8
Bring the stew to a boil over high heat. Once it boils, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 3 minutes. If the broth reduces too much, add a little more water. Taste and adjust seasoning with more soy sauce if needed.
Step 9
Now, add the Spam to the stew and let it simmer further. The savory and rich flavor of the Spam will infuse into the kimchi stew broth, making it even more delicious.
Step 10
When the Spam is heated through and the flavors have melded beautifully, add the diagonally sliced green onions. Simmer for about 1 more minute until the onions are slightly tender. Your delicious Spam Kimchi Stew is now complete! Enjoy it with a hot bowl of rice.
