Spicy and Hearty Pork and Gochujang Stew (Gochujang Jjigae)
Spicy and Hearty Pork and Gochujang Stew (Gochujang Jjigae)
Flavorful Pork Gochujang Stew with a Rich and Spicy Broth!
This recipe for Pork Gochujang Stew is packed with fresh, seasonal vegetables, offering a wonderfully spicy and satisfying taste. Even on warmer days, this comforting stew is a delightful meal. The tender potatoes, sweet zucchini, and savory pork create a delicious combination that’s perfect for spooning over rice. It’s a robust and flavorful stew that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
Stew Ingredients- 200g Pork shoulder or butt (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 large potatoes (peeled and sliced about 1.5cm thick)
- 1 onion (sliced about 1.5cm thick)
- 1/2 zucchini (sliced into half-moons or about 1cm thick rounds)
- 1 green chili pepper (sliced diagonally)
- 1 red chili pepper (sliced diagonally)
- Scallions or green onions, a small bunch (slice diagonally if using large scallions, or cut into 2cm lengths for green onions)
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp salted shrimp (saeujeot) (for seasoning, can be finely chopped)
- 1.5 Tbsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing your vegetables. Peel the potatoes and slice them into approximately 1.5cm thick, bite-sized pieces. Slice the onion similarly. Cut the zucchini into half-moon shapes or about 1cm thick rounds.
Step 2
Wash the green and red chili peppers, remove the stems, and slice them diagonally. If using large scallions, slice them diagonally. If using green onions, cut them into about 2cm lengths.
Step 3
In a pot, add the pork shoulder or butt. Add the gochujang and minced garlic. Gently mix and knead the pork with your hands, ensuring it’s well coated with the seasoning. Marinating the pork beforehand helps it become more tender and absorb the flavors deeply.
Step 4
Pour about two-thirds of the pot capacity with water over the marinated pork. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the sliced potatoes and continue to cook over medium heat until the potatoes are tender.
Step 5
As the stew simmers, use a spoon to skim off any foam or scum that rises to the surface. This step helps to create a cleaner, clearer broth with no impurities, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine through.
Step 6
Once the potatoes are partially cooked, adjust the seasoning with salted shrimp (saeujeot). Using salted shrimp adds a wonderful depth of flavor and umami to the broth without needing a separate stock. If you prefer, you can adjust with salt, but saeujeot is highly recommended for its ability to enhance the stew’s overall taste. Stir in the Korean chili flakes (gochugaru) for a spicy kick.
Step 7
When the broth returns to a rolling boil, add the sliced zucchini and onion to the pot. If you have homemade mushroom powder (like from your mother’s recipe!), adding a tablespoon now will further boost the umami. However, even without it, the combination of salted shrimp and other ingredients will ensure a delicious stew.
Step 8
Continue to boil until the zucchini and onion are tender. Finally, add the diagonally sliced chili peppers and scallions/green onions. Let it simmer for a few more minutes for the flavors to meld. Your delicious Pork Gochujang Stew is now ready to be enjoyed with a warm bowl of rice!
