Spicy Gochujang Stew: A Hearty Home-Style Korean Dish
Spicy Gochujang Stew: A Hearty Home-Style Korean Dish
How to Make Delicious Gochujang Stew (Gochujang Jjigae)
Craving a comforting, mildly spicy, and deeply flavorful stew? This Gochujang Stew is perfect for those days. It’s delicious served soupy or simmered down to a thicker, ‘jjigae’ consistency, perfect for spooning over rice.
Main Ingredients- 1 medium potato
- 1/4 onion
- 1/2 zucchini
- 200g pork (stew meat or pre-cut for curry/jjajang)
Seasoning- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp red chili flakes (gochugaru)
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp red chili flakes (gochugaru)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables for the stew. Dice the potato, zucchini, and onion into bite-sized pieces. Cutting them small enough to be eaten with a spoon makes for easier enjoyment later. (Tip: Potatoes can break down if cut too small, so aim for a moderate size.)
Step 2
In a pot or deep pan, combine 2 Tbsp of sesame oil and 2 Tbsp of gochujang over low heat. Gently stir and sauté to release the fragrant aromas. Be careful not to burn the gochujang; this step is key to developing flavor.
Step 3
Now it’s time to add the pork. I’m using pre-cut pork pieces meant for curry or jjajang, which are conveniently bite-sized. If you’re using regular stewing pork, cut it into bite-sized pieces before adding.
Step 4
Sauté the pork with the gochujang, then add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic. The garlic will meld with the pork and gochujang, adding a deeper layer of flavor. Continue to stir-fry until the surface of the pork is lightly cooked.
Step 5
Next, add 1 Tbsp of red chili flakes (gochugaru) and stir-fry together. You’ll notice the stew starting to take on a beautiful, appetizing color as the chili flakes combine with the oil. Stir well to prevent clumping.
Step 6
Add all the pre-cut vegetables, including the potatoes, onions, and zucchini, into the pot.
Step 7
Pour in about 1.5 cups (300ml) of water and stir gently to dissolve the seasonings stuck to the bottom of the pot. Ensuring the gochujang is well-integrated will result in a cleaner broth.
Step 8
For an extra spicy kick, feel free to add sliced green or red chilies. Simmer over medium heat until it reaches your desired consistency. Your delicious Gochujang Stew is ready! (Tip: The flavor can intensify as it simmers, so taste and add a bit more soy sauce if needed.)
Step 9
I personally prefer it with a bit less broth, almost like a ‘jjajang’ stew, which is perfect for mixing with rice. It’s so incredibly delicious that I can easily eat two bowls of rice with it! I highly recommend you try making this at home. It’s a dish the whole family will love! ◡̈
