Spicy and Rich Pork Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Soybean Paste Stew)
A Hearty Pork Doenjang Jjigae Packed with Flavor
We had a surplus of delicious black pork’s hind leg meat and wondered how to use it up. This pork doenjang jjigae came to mind! Its spicy and rich broth pairs wonderfully with both rice and drinks. Hind leg meat is quite affordable, so buy plenty and give this recipe a try! It’s a comforting and flavorful stew perfect for any occasion.
Main Ingredients- 500g pork hind leg meat
- 1/2 onion, thinly sliced lengthwise
- 1/2 zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 1/2 block firm tofu, cut into large cubes
- 1 green onion, diagonally sliced
- 1 Korean chili pepper (cheongyang), diagonally sliced
Seasoning- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp homemade soybean paste (doenjang)
- 1 Tbsp store-bought soybean paste (doenjang)
- 2-3 Tbsp Korean chili powder (gochugaru, adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp homemade soybean paste (doenjang)
- 1 Tbsp store-bought soybean paste (doenjang)
- 2-3 Tbsp Korean chili powder (gochugaru, adjust to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
To create a delicious doenjang jjigae, start by preparing a rich and savory broth. Using ingredients like anchovies and dried kelp (dashima) to boil will enhance the flavor.
Step 2
We’re using 500g of pork hind leg meat for this recipe. (You can use about 250g if you prefer a lighter stew). Prepare the vegetables for the jjigae: wash and chop the onion, zucchini, firm tofu, green onion, and Korean chili pepper according to the recipe.
Step 3
Lightly grease a pot and add the pork hind leg meat. Sauté over medium heat until lightly browned, being careful not to burn it. Add 0.5 Tbsp of homemade soybean paste and stir-fry with the meat to remove any porky odor and add a delicious aroma.
Step 4
Next, add 1 Tbsp of store-bought soybean paste and stir-fry it together with the meat. Using a combination of homemade and store-bought doenjang creates a richer, more complex flavor profile.
Step 5
Add 2-3 Tbsp of Korean chili powder (gochugaru) for a pleasant spicy kick. Continue to sauté for a moment, allowing the pork, soybean pastes, and chili powder to meld together.
Step 6
Once the pork is nicely stir-fried with the seasonings,
Step 7
Pour in the prepared broth, just enough to cover the meat. Adjust the amount of broth based on your desired stew consistency.
Step 8
Add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic to deepen the flavor of the jjigae broth.
Step 9
Once the broth comes to a rolling boil, add the prepared vegetables like onion, zucchini, and tofu. Cook until the ingredients are tender.
Step 10
Finally, add the enoki mushrooms, diagonally sliced green onion, and Korean chili pepper, and simmer for another minute. This flavorful doenjang jjigae, rich with pork broth and a spicy kick, is so satisfying it feels like a ‘jjalgjige’ (a thicker, more concentrated stew). Enjoy!
