Monday, May 23, 2011

Spicy Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae)

Jjigae means stew in Korean, and is another common dish we constantly crave. Here we make it with kimchi. It's hot and spicy and tangy and makes a bowl of rice disappear in a second.

The secret to kimchi jjigae is using very old kimchi(see kimchi bokkumbap). If you can't get a hold of the old kimchi that is sold, you can just let your kimchi age in your fridge until the cabbage loses its whiteness and turns dark and a bit transparent like the picture below. Taste the kimchi and if its really sour then it's perfect for jjigae.
Ingredients for 2 people:
1 1/2 cups old kimchi cut into small pieces
1 T cooking oil
1 can of tuna packed in water, drained (we think Dongwon brand is best for this dish)
6 dried anchovies and 1 square of dried kelp (Optional)
2 cups water
1 t sugar
1 t red pepper powder
1 T red chilli pepper slices
2 T green onion slices


1. Add anchovies and seaweed in to a pot with water and boil for 5 minutes. Set aside.


2. Heat the oil in a ceramic pot(it's ok to use whatever pot you have) and put in the kimchi slices. Let it fry for 1-2 minutes.


3. Add sugar.


4. Add the red pepper powder and mix it around.


5. Add the anchovy stock to the ceramic pot. Bring to boil then let it simmer for 10 minutes.


6. Add the tuna and let simmer for 5-10 more minutes. Simmer time may vary depending on how thick you like the jjigae to be. The longer you simmer, the richer the taste.


7. Add the green onions and red pepper and simmer for 1 more minute. Put on the table and enjoy!

* Pork version is also delicious and a bit more hearty. Just add 2 ounces of pork belly when you are frying the kimchi and let it cook through. Replace anchovy broth with regular water.

13 comments:

the notebook doodles said...

i love your blog :) please keep it up! i've just mentioned about it on mine, just to share the goodness! hope you don't mind.

http://www.thenotebookdoodles.com/2011/05/sharing-goodness-bap-story.html

ps. maybe you can show us how to make kimbab.. they are so yummy!

megan said...

I hate tuna but looooooove Spam. You absolutely have to try it with spam because you might never go back. This also works with kimchi bokum bap. Spam and kimchi go together.

jeana sohn said...

@the notebook doodles
thanks. kimbap is on our list. ;)

@megan
yes, pork & kimchi go very well. we didn't use spam or pork because i'm pescatarian. :)

Anonymous said...

This is my husband's favorite soup! I will try to make one! mo2

Angelique said...

Love your blog as much as I love Korean food. Thanks for sharing the recipes. All the best, Angelique x

Anonymous said...

yum yum yum yum yum yum yum

Marie said...

The best comfort food ever. It's funny because I never used to like tuna in my kimchi jjigae and then a few years ago, I started preferring it to pork or Spam. It's all delicious, though. :)

lucie said...

another yummy recipe! I can't wait to have my own kitchen to try them all (I'm in between two appartments! )
I also love your ring on the last photo! Could you tell me where it comes from?

Bo said...

@lucie
thanks! and the ring is a one of a kind creation by Kathryn Bentley.

Anonymous said...

Can you please redo a post on the veggie dumplings on Bap Story? Also, just a suggestion, will you be having guest featured occasionally on this blog on making/cooking of their favorite Korean dish? Love your blog by the way.

Miss Cris said...

I think one day I'll just have to try this out with the pork. :)

This is such a great idea for a blog! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hi I read about your blog from thenotebookdoodles and now I follow you! I love Korean food as well but I'm Filipino :) Hope you won't forget about Dweji Kalbi and Hapchae :) I'll be looking forward to your posts!

Anonymous said...

I just made your kimchi jjigae tonight and it was amazing! My husband and I both loved it. I'm an American living in Korea with my Korean husband. I'm really interested in learning how to cook Korean food but I've been kind of disappointed with a lot of the Korean cooking blogs that are available in English. I was so delighted to find yours today! Please keep writing!!

With love from Suwon~~