Spicy and Savory Pork Belly and Tofu Stew
A Hearty Home-Style Meal: Try this ‘Pork Belly and Tofu Stew’ recipe, perfect for dinner! This recipe combines tender tofu with flavorful pork belly for a delightful dish. Great for using up ingredients in your fridge!
Wow, this is truly delicious! After the first boil, the tofu absorbs all the savory seasoning, making it incredibly rich and tasty when you eat it the next time. As the stew simmers down for the second serving, the broth becomes wonderfully concentrated, perfect for mixing with rice. It’s absolutely delicious!
Main Ingredients
- 1 block of Tofu (approx. 300g)
- 250g Pork Belly (thinly sliced, known as ‘daepae samgyeopsal’)
- 500ml Anchovy Broth or Water
- 1 handful of Green Onions (approx. 50g)
- 1-2 Korean Green Chili Peppers (adjust to your spice preference)
Seasoning Mix
- 5 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (or regular soy sauce if unavailable)
- A drizzle of Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 5 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (or regular soy sauce if unavailable)
- A drizzle of Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the delicious seasoning mix for the stew. In a bowl, combine 5 Tbsp soy sauce, 3 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sugar, and 1 Tbsp fish sauce. Mix them well. We’ll add the sesame oil and seeds at the end.
Step 2
Cut the block of tofu into thick slices, about the width of your index finger. Be careful not to cut them too thin, as they might break apart while cooking.
Step 3
Chop the Korean green chili peppers finely after removing the stems. These will add a nice spicy kick to the stew. Use 2 if you like it spicier, or just 1 if you prefer milder heat.
Step 4
Now, prepare your stew pot. Start by laying the thinly sliced pork belly at the bottom of the pot. These thin slices cook quickly and release flavorful fat, enhancing the stew’s taste. If the pork belly slices are very long, you can cut them in half with scissors for easier eating later.
Step 5
Arrange the sliced tofu neatly on top of the pork belly layer. Try not to pack the tofu too tightly; leaving a little space between pieces is ideal.
Step 6
Finally, sprinkle the chopped green onions and Korean green chili peppers evenly over the tofu. This not only adds flavor but also makes the stew look appetizing.
Step 7
Pour the prepared seasoning mix evenly over all the ingredients in the pot. It might seem like there isn’t much liquid at first, but as the pork belly cooks, its fat will render out, and the tofu will release moisture, creating a rich, savory broth.
Step 8
It’s time to cook the stew! Bring it to a boil over high heat, covered. Once it starts bubbling vigorously, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for another 7-8 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the ingredients to cook through.
Step 9
This stew is even better when allowed to sit for 1-2 hours after the initial cooking and then reheated before serving. This allows the flavors to deeply penetrate the tofu, making it exceptionally delicious. It’s also fantastic mixed with rice! Enjoy your meal!
