Spicy and Hearty Tuna and Spam Kimchi Stew Recipe
Super Simple Tuna and Spam Kimchi Stew with Added Depth of Flavor
Here’s my personal recipe for making a delicious kimchi stew that you can easily recreate at home. The rich, spicy broth combined with satisfying tuna and spam makes for a perfectly hearty meal.
Main Ingredients- 2 servings of well-fermented kimchi (approx. 300g)
- 1/2 can of Spam or your favorite processed ham
- 1 can of tuna (150g), drained
Seasoning & Broth- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 300ml anchovy broth (or rice water)
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 300ml anchovy broth (or rice water)
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
To make the cooking process smoother, have all your ingredients prepped before you begin. Prepare the well-fermented kimchi, ham, drained can of tuna, red pepper flakes, black pepper, sesame oil, and anchovy broth (or rice water). Chop the kimchi into bite-sized pieces for easier eating.
Step 2
This is the first step to infusing your kimchi stew with flavor! Add 2 tablespoons of sesame oil to a pot and heat it over medium-low heat. The nutty aroma of the sesame oil will permeate the ingredients, enhancing the stew’s deep flavor.
Step 3
Once the sesame oil is hot, add the chopped kimchi and stir-fry it. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes until the kimchi becomes translucent and softens. This sautéing process mellows the kimchi’s sourness and further enhances its umami.
Step 4
It’s important to thoroughly drain the oil from the canned tuna using a sieve. If there’s too much oil, the stew might turn out greasy. Make sure to remove the excess tuna oil.
Step 5
Add the drained tuna directly to the sautéed kimchi in the pot. Stir-frying the tuna briefly with the kimchi allows the tuna’s savory flavor to meld beautifully with the kimchi, making it even more delicious.
Step 6
Now it’s time to create the stew’s broth. Pour in the prepared anchovy broth (or rice water) until the kimchi is sufficiently submerged. You can adjust the amount of liquid based on the quantity of ingredients.
Step 7
Add 3 tablespoons (about 30ml) of anchovy broth. Anchovy broth adds a deep, savory flavor to the stew. Start with 3 tablespoons, and taste as it simmers, adding more to your preference.
Step 8
Cut the ham into your desired shapes. Whether you prefer diced, sliced, or any other cut, it’s all good. Adding ham makes the stew more substantial and enjoyable to eat.
Step 9
Add the cut ham to the pot and let it simmer together. As the ham cooks, it will release its flavor into the broth. Once the ham is somewhat cooked, stir in 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes to add spiciness and a vibrant color.
Step 10
Finally, add a sprinkle of black pepper. Pepper helps to eliminate any unwanted odors and further enhances the stew’s overall flavor. Adjust the amount according to your taste.
Step 11
Now, bring everything to a rolling boil over high heat to allow all the ingredients to meld together. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for another 5-10 minutes, letting the ingredients cook through and the flavors deepen. Your delicious Tuna and Spam Kimchi Stew is ready!
