Spicy, Sweet, and Savory! Homemade Andong Jjimdak Recipe
Try making Andong Jjimdak, featured on the TV show ‘Baekban 기행’, right at home!
We tried making Jjimdak, as featured on the Andong episode of ‘Baekban 기행’, and it turned out wonderfully! The deeply flavorful sauce, achieved by simmering, is incredibly appealing. This dish offers a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory notes, making it a delightful meal for the whole family.
Main Ingredients
- 1 pack of chicken for stir-fry (pre-cut and cleaned)
- 2 potatoes (medium-sized)
- 1/2 onion (medium-sized)
- 1 stalk of green onion
- 3 red chilies
- 2 ‘Cheongyang’ peppers (adjust to your preference for spiciness)
- 2 shiitake mushrooms
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the chicken for stir-fry thoroughly under running water to remove any impurities. This step helps to reduce any gamey smell.
Step 2
In a deep pan or pot, heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium heat. Add the rinsed chicken and stir-fry it lightly until the surface is slightly cooked. Be careful not to let the chicken burn or stick to the pan. Then, add 1 cup (200ml) of water and bring it to a simmer to help tenderize the chicken.
Step 3
Prepare the vegetables for the Jjimdak. Peel the potatoes and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Slice the onion thickly and cut the green onion diagonally. Remove seeds from the red and ‘Cheongyang’ chilies and slice them thinly for color and a spicy kick. Trim the stems off the shiitake mushrooms and slice them. If you enjoy a spicier dish, feel free to increase or decrease the number of ‘Cheongyang’ peppers according to your taste.
Step 4
Once the chicken is partially cooked, add the prepared potatoes, onion, green onion, red chilies, ‘Cheongyang’ peppers, and shiitake mushrooms to the pot. Add a pinch of salt and black pepper for initial seasoning.
Step 5
Now, let’s make the delicious Jjimdak sauce. In a bowl, combine 1.5 cups (300ml) of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of red chili powder (‘gochugaru’), 5 tablespoons of oligosaccharide (you can adjust the sweetness), and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Mix everything well. (If the recipe included minced green onion, add it here.)
Step 6
Pour the prepared sauce into the pot, mixing it well with all the ingredients. Reduce the heat to medium and cover the pot to simmer gently. The key to a great Jjimdak is to let the sauce reduce until it’s rich and coats all the ingredients. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning by adding more soy sauce if it’s not salty enough, or more oligosaccharide if it’s not sweet enough.
Step 7
Once the sauce has thickened nicely and the flavors have melded beautifully with all the ingredients, your delicious Andong Jjimdak is ready! Homemade Jjimdak is truly a special treat. It makes for a fantastic meal when served with warm rice and pairs wonderfully with a cold beer.
