Hearty and Spicy Pork Belly Stew (Dwaeji Jjageuli) Recipe
Hearty and Spicy Pork Belly Stew (Dwaeji Jjageuli) Recipe
How to Make Dwaeji Jjageuli with Pork Shoulder – A Delicious Side Dish or Main Course
This ‘Dwaeji Jjageuli’ (pork stew) is the perfect dish for those days when you’re short on side dishes. With this flavorful stew, two bowls of rice will disappear in no time! It’s a satisfying main dish that will fill you up. Enjoy making this delicious pork stew, perfect for a hearty meal.
Main Ingredients- 600g Pork Shoulder (or leg meat)
- 2 medium Potatoes
- 1/2 Zucchini
- 1/2 Onion
- 500ml Anchovy Broth (or rice water)
Seasoning Paste- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to spice preference)
- 4 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp Doenjang (Korean soybean paste, for depth)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to spice preference)
- 4 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp Doenjang (Korean soybean paste, for depth)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by preparing 600g of pork shoulder, the star ingredient of our Dwaeji Jjageuli. Pork shoulder has a good balance of lean meat and fat, offering a satisfying chew that’s perfect for this stew.
Step 2
Cut the prepared pork shoulder into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3cm. Cutting them too small might cause them to break apart during cooking, so aim for a substantial size.
Step 3
Prepare the vegetables: dice 2 potatoes, 1/2 zucchini, and 1/2 onion into roughly 1.5cm cubes. Since potatoes are denser, you can cut them slightly smaller than the other vegetables to ensure even cooking. Feel free to use other vegetables you have on hand, such as carrots or mushrooms.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the flavorful seasoning paste, the key to a delicious Jjageuli! In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp gochujang, 3 Tbsp gochugaru, 4 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 0.5 Tbsp doenjang, and 2 Tbsp sugar. Mix everything thoroughly until you have a well-blended, savory paste. The doenjang adds a wonderful depth of flavor.
Step 5
Heat a pan over medium heat. Add the cut pork shoulder and sprinkle 2 Tbsp of sugar over it. The sugar helps tenderize the meat and aids in seasoning, ensuring the sauce adheres well as the pork cooks. Stir-fry the pork until it turns a nice brown color.
Step 6
Once the pork is partially cooked and has released some of its fat, add the diced potatoes. Stir-fry them together with the pork for about 2-3 minutes. Adding the potatoes first helps them cook evenly alongside the other vegetables.
Step 7
When the potatoes are slightly tender, add the zucchini and onion, followed by all the prepared seasoning paste. Mix everything well so that the seasoning coats the pork and vegetables evenly.
Step 8
Increase the heat to high and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until the pork is completely cooked through. You’ll notice the pork releasing its aroma.
Step 9
Pour 500ml of anchovy broth into the pan. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Once it starts bubbling, skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface – this will result in a cleaner, more delicious stew. After skimming, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer gently until the stew thickens and the flavors meld, about 10-15 minutes. The liquid should reduce by about half.
Step 10
The Jjageuli is best when the liquid has reduced by half, allowing the flavors to concentrate and coat the ingredients. Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning if needed; add a little more soy sauce if it’s too bland, or a splash of water or broth if it’s too salty. Finish by drizzling in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil and a pinch of black pepper for extra aroma.
Step 11
Serve the piping hot Dwaeji Jjageuli generously over a bowl of steamed rice. Mixing it all together creates an incredibly satisfying meal that rivals any gourmet dish. Enjoy your hearty and delicious pork stew!
