Spicy and Hearty Soft Tofu Stew (Dubu Jjigae)
A Flavorful and Comforting Soft Tofu Stew Recipe
Experience the delightful combination of soft tofu and a spicy, rich broth in this Korean Dubu Jjigae. It’s incredibly delicious spooned over rice, perfect for a satisfying meal. Enjoy this easy-to-make, deeply flavored stew!
Stew Ingredients- 1 block (approx. 300g) firm tofu
- 1/2 medium onion
- 2 Korean green chilies (or jalapeños)
- 1/2 stalk green onion
Spicy Seasoning Paste- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp soup soy sauce (or regular soy sauce)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil (or sesame oil)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp soup soy sauce (or regular soy sauce)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil (or sesame oil)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Gently rinse the block of firm tofu under cool water and pat it dry. Cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes, about 2-3 cm. Cutting it into a moderate thickness will prevent it from breaking apart too much while simmering.
Step 2
To prevent the tofu from sticking to the bottom of the pot, especially if using a traditional earthenware pot (ttukbaegi), create a base layer with thinly sliced onion. This also adds a subtle sweetness to the broth. Carefully arrange the cut tofu pieces on top of the onion layer.
Step 3
Let’s prepare the flavorful seasoning paste, the heart of this delicious stew. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1.5 tablespoons of soup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of gochugaru, 1 tablespoon of gochujang, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of perilla oil. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
Step 4
Prepare the vegetables that will add freshness and a nice kick to the stew. Slice the green onion and Korean green chilies diagonally at about a 0.5 cm thickness. Thinly slice the half onion. These vegetables will release their flavors beautifully into the broth as they cook.
Step 5
Arrange the sliced onion, green onion, and chilies attractively on top of the tofu in the pot. Spoon the prepared seasoning paste into the center of the vegetables. Pour in 3 cups (about 600ml) of water or broth, ensuring the ingredients are mostly submerged. Bring the stew to a rolling boil over high heat for about 5 minutes. Once boiling vigorously, reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer for approximately 20 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors of the tofu and vegetables to meld perfectly, creating a deep and spicy stew. Taste and adjust seasoning with more soup soy sauce or salt if needed before serving.
