Spam Soft Tofu Stew (Sundubu Jjigae) Without Broth
How to Make Spam Soft Tofu Stew: Ryu Soo-young’s Simple Spam Stew Recipe
I was curious and a little skeptical about making a delicious soft tofu stew with just plain water instead of broth. To my surprise, it turned out incredibly tasty! This stew, featuring Spam, has a clean yet spicy broth that’s truly thumb-stoppingly good. Soft tofu is a high-protein food rich in minerals and moisture, and this recipe delivers an exceptional spicy flavor. Let’s get started with Ryu Soo-young’s simple Spam soft tofu stew recipe!
Main Ingredients- 1 packet Soft Tofu (Sundubu)
- 1 small can Spam
- 1/2 Onion
- 1/2 Green Onion
- 1/4 Zucchini
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Korean Green Chili Pepper (Cheongyang Pepper)
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 300ml Water
Seasoning- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Guk-ganjang (Soup Soy Sauce)
- 2 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 20 twists Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Guk-ganjang (Soup Soy Sauce)
- 2 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 20 twists Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the canned Spam under running water to remove any excess oil. Cut half of the Spam into 0.5cm thick slices, and mash the other half using a fork or the back of a knife into small chunks. This mashed Spam will add depth of flavor to the broth.
Step 2
Dice the onion and zucchini into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5cm cubes. Thinly slice the Korean green chili pepper on an angle for a bit of heat, and slice the green onion thinly on an angle for a fresh aroma.
Step 3
Heat a stainless steel pot over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and reduce the heat to low. While Spam does release some fat, the olive oil helps in creating chili oil. Once you see tiny ripples in the oil, add the mashed Spam to the pot.
Step 4
Once the mashed Spam is slightly cooked, add the minced garlic, sliced green chili pepper, and green onion. Sauté over medium-low heat until fragrant. When the aroma of the green onion starts to rise, push the ingredients to one side of the pot.
Step 5
Add 1 tablespoon of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to the empty space in the pot. If the oil seems insufficient, add a tiny bit more olive oil. Stir the gochugaru in the oil over low heat for about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it, to create a vibrant chili oil.
Step 6
Once the chili oil is formed, mix it with the Spam and vegetables that were pushed to the side. Then, push the mixture to one side of the pot again. Add 2 tablespoons of guk-ganjang (soup soy sauce) to the empty space and let it simmer briefly to infuse its deep savory flavor.
Step 7
Now, add 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce. The sweetness and umami from the oyster sauce will blend with the Spam for an even richer taste. Stir everything gently to combine.
Step 8
Pour in 300ml of water and bring to a boil over high heat. As it boils, skim off any foam that rises to the surface for a cleaner broth. Add the diced onion and zucchini, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables are slightly tender.
Step 9
Once the vegetables are somewhat cooked, add the sliced Spam pieces that you prepared earlier. These slices will add a nice chewy texture to the stew.
Step 10
It’s time to add the soft tofu. Carefully cut open the top of the soft tofu packet along the designated line and gently slide the entire block of tofu into the pot. To keep the tofu intact and prevent it from breaking apart too much, use a spoon or spatula to gently break the block into 2-3 large pieces rather than mashing it.
Step 11
As the stew comes back to a boil, reduce the heat to low. Carefully crack 2 eggs directly into the stew. Finish with about 20 twists of freshly ground black pepper for aroma. Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat until the eggs are cooked to your liking. You can adjust the cooking time for a runnier or firmer yolk.
