Spicy Pork Kimchi Stew (Jjigae) – Jjageuli Style
Rich & Spicy Pork Kimchi Stew, the Jjageuli Way!
This recipe makes a hearty and intensely flavorful pork kimchi stew, simmered down to a thick, rich consistency like ‘jjageuli’. The addition of gochujang creates a wonderfully spicy and slightly sweet broth that pairs perfectly with rice.
Main Ingredients- 200g Pork Belly (approx. 2 strips)
- 1.5 paper cups well-fermented kimchi
- 1/2 Onion
- 1 Korean chili pepper (cheongyang chili)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Lightly grease a pot with perilla oil. Add the pork belly, cut into bite-sized pieces. Add the marinade ingredients: 0.5 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp mirin, and 0.5 tsp black pepper. Stir-fry the pork until it turns opaque and slightly browned, helping to tenderize it and remove any gamey smell.
Step 2
Once the surface of the pork is cooked, cover the pot with a lid and let it steam on very low heat for about 2 minutes. This step is crucial for drawing out the maximum flavor and juices from the pork, creating a richer broth.
Step 3
Add the fermented kimchi to the pot. Along with the kimchi, add the ingredients for stir-frying: 0.5 Tbsp vinegar, 0.5 Tbsp oligodang, and 1 Tbsp perilla oil. Stir-fry the pork and kimchi together until well combined.
Step 4
Continue to stir-fry the kimchi and pork until the kimchi is softened and the pork is almost fully cooked. This ensures the kimchi’s sourness mellows and the flavors meld beautifully. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 5
Pour in 5 paper cups of water to create the stew base. This amount of water will help achieve the desired thick, ‘jjageuli’-like consistency.
Step 6
Once the water comes to a rolling boil, add the half-sliced onion and the diagonally sliced Korean chili pepper. These vegetables will infuse the stew with a fresh, slightly spicy aroma and taste.
Step 7
After adding the vegetables and letting it boil again briefly, stir in the seasoning mix: 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp gochugaru, and 1.5 Tbsp gochujang. Ensure the seasonings are well dissolved into the broth.
Step 8
Bring the stew to a vigorous boil and let it simmer for about 5 more minutes. This allows the flavors to deepen and the broth to thicken into a rich, concentrated consistency. The stew should become noticeably richer.
Step 9
Ladle the hot, spicy pork kimchi stew into bowls. Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious, comforting dish with a bowl of steamed rice!
