Spicy & Hearty Potato Spam Jjigae Stew with Gochujang
Chef Baek Jong-won’s Famous Potato Spam Jjigae Stew Recipe
Did you know that Chef Baek Jong-won’s marriage was delayed because of this delicious stew? He apparently loved making and eating it so much while living alone! While it’s a humorous story, it highlights how much he cherishes this dish. Get ready to fall in love with this savory, spicy, and hearty gochujang stew! I’ll guide you through Baek Jong-won’s trusted recipe for Potato Spam Jjigae.
Main Ingredients
- 3 medium Potatoes
- 200g Spam
- 1/2 stalk Green Onion
- 1/2 Onion
- 1 Red Chili Pepper
- 2 Korean Green Chili Peppers (adjust to spice preference)
- 700ml Water (approx. 3.5 cups)
Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Doenjang (soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Doenjang (soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, open the Spam can and place it in a resealable bag or plastic wrap. Use your palm to gently mash the Spam. This helps to release its savory flavor into the stew.
Step 2
Peel the potatoes and cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5 cm thick. Rinse the cut potatoes thoroughly under running water 2-3 times to remove excess starch. Then, soak them in cold water for about 10 minutes. This step helps the potatoes stay firm and cook nicely in the stew without falling apart.
Step 3
Prepare the other vegetables: thinly slice the onion, and slice the green onion, red chili pepper, and Korean green chili peppers diagonally. You can remove the seeds from the chili peppers if you prefer less heat, or leave them in for extra spice.
Step 4
In a small bowl, combine all the seasoning ingredients: 1 Tbsp sugar, 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1/2 Tbsp doenjang, and 1 Tbsp gochujang. Mix them well to create a delicious jjigae paste. (Note: The original recipe includes 4 Tbsp soy sauce, but it was not present in the provided input and has been omitted. Add if desired.)
Step 5
Now, in a pot, add the prepared potatoes, mashed Spam, sliced onion, and the jjigae paste you just made. Carefully pour in 700ml of water.
Step 6
Place the pot on the stove over high heat and bring it to a boil. Once it starts boiling, stir well to dissolve the seasoning paste evenly.
Step 7
When the stew comes to a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, allowing the potatoes and Spam to cook until tender.
Step 8
After about 20 minutes, the stew will have reduced, and you’ll see a layer of chili oil on top. You can adjust the consistency of the broth to your liking by adding a little more water if it’s too thick, or by simmering it longer if it’s too thin or needs more flavor.
Step 9
Finally, add the sliced green onion, red chili pepper, and Korean green chili peppers, and simmer for a few more minutes. Your delicious and spicy Baek Jong-won’s Potato Spam Jjigae Stew is now complete! Enjoy it with a hot bowl of rice.
