Super Simple Tuna Kimchi Stew (Sundubu Jjigae)
No Seafood? No Problem! The Easiest Tuna Kimchi Sundubu Jjigae Recipe You’ll Ever Make!
Craving a comforting bowl of Sundubu Jjigae but don’t have any seafood on hand? Don’t worry! This recipe uses a readily available can of tuna in spicy sauce to whip up a quick and delicious Sundubu Jjigae. It might seem unconventional, but it delivers a surprisingly deep and satisfying flavor!
Main Ingredients
- 1 block Soft Tofu (approx. 300-400g)
- 1 can Tuna in Spicy Sauce (use the oil too)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Soup Soy Sauce (or fish sauce)
- 1/2 stalk Scallion, chopped
- 1 Egg
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, heat 2 tablespoons of sesame oil in a ttukbaegi (earthenware pot) or a regular pot. This will create a fragrant base for your stew.
Step 2
Once the sesame oil is warm, add the entire can of tuna in spicy sauce, including the oil. Break down the tuna with a chopstick or spatula and stir-fry for about 1 minute. This step helps to enhance the tuna’s flavor.
Step 3
After stir-frying the tuna for a minute, add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Continue to stir-fry for another 30 seconds, ensuring the garlic is well incorporated with the tuna. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 4
Once the garlic is fragrant, it’s time to add the star ingredient: the soft tofu. Carefully place the block of tofu into the pot. You can gently break it into 2-3 larger pieces with a spoon.
Step 5
Pour water into the pot, enough to cover about two-thirds of the tofu. Adding too much water can make the stew taste bland, so aim for roughly 1 cup.
Step 6
As the water begins to simmer, stir in 1 tablespoon of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) for a kick of spice. Feel free to add more if you prefer a spicier stew.
Step 7
Next, add 1 tablespoon of soup soy sauce to deepen the broth’s flavor. Using fish sauce instead of soup soy sauce will add an extra layer of umami. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Step 8
Finally, top with the chopped scallions and crack 1 egg directly into the stew. Let it simmer just until the egg white is cooked. The combination of silky tofu and perfectly cooked egg makes this stew incredibly comforting.
Step 9
Your delicious Tuna Kimchi Sundubu Jjigae is ready! This incredibly satisfying and flavorful stew is the perfect companion to a bowl of rice. Enjoy!
