Spicy Braised Potatoes with Pork (Gamja Jjageuli)
Spicy Braised Potatoes with Pork (Gamja Jjageuli)
Hearty and Flavorful Braised Potatoes with Pork Belly: A Comforting Stew Recipe
This Gamja Jjageuli, or braised potatoes, is a delightful Korean stew featuring tender, fluffy potatoes cooked in a savory, slightly spicy, and thick broth. It’s perfect for mashing with rice! We’ve also added generous portions of pork, making it a satisfying one-pot meal that requires no other side dishes. Enjoy this rich and comforting stew with your family.
Main Ingredients- 2 medium potatoes
- 400g pork front leg (or shoulder)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s marinate the pork. Place the 400g of pork front leg in a bowl. Add 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp gochujang, 1/2 Tbsp doenjang, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp cheongju, 1 Tbsp maesilcheong, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix well by hand and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes. This step allows the flavors to deeply penetrate the pork.
Step 2
Now, let’s start cooking. Heat the pot over medium heat and add 1/2 Tbsp cooking oil. Slice the white part of the green onion (1 stalk) diagonally and add it to the pot. Sauté until fragrant. Then, add the 1/2 onion, cut into large cubes, and stir-fry until translucent. The sweetness from the onions and scallions will add a wonderful depth to the broth.
Step 3
Next, prepare the potatoes. Peel 2 medium potatoes and cut them into thick, 1 to 1.5 cm rounds. You can then cut these rounds in half or quarters for bite-sized pieces (cutting them too small may cause them to break apart during cooking). Lightly rinse the cut potatoes under running water to remove excess starch, then drain them well. Add the potatoes to the pot and stir-fry until their surfaces become slightly translucent.
Step 4
Once the potato surfaces look translucent, add the marinated pork to the pot. Stir-fry over high heat until the pork is cooked through and no longer pink. Searing the pork will release its juices and meld beautifully with the potatoes and seasonings.
Step 5
When the pork is fully cooked, pour 2 + 1/2 cups (approx. 500ml) of water into the bowl that held the marinated pork. Swirl the water around to rinse out any remaining seasoning and pour this liquid into the pot as well. This ensures no flavor is wasted. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat.
Step 6
Once the stew is boiling vigorously, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the broth has thickened slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. While it simmers, slice the green part of the green onion diagonally. Remove the seeds from the 2 Korean green chili peppers and slice them diagonally. Add the sliced green onion and chili peppers to the pot and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Serve hot with a bowl of rice!
