Spicy Spam and Tofu Stew (Dubu Jjigae)
Spicy Spam and Tofu Stew (Dubu Jjigae)
Spicy Tofu Stew with Spam for Enhanced Flavor
Introducing a recipe for a spicy and savory tofu stew (Dubu Jjigae) made even more delicious with the addition of savory Spam instead of pork. This is a perfect side dish that’s incredibly tasty served over rice!
Main Ingredients- 500g Tofu (approx. 1 block)
- 100g Spam (1/2 can)
- 1/2 Onion
- 1/2 Green Onion (Scallion)
- 2 Korean Green Chilies (Cheongyang peppers)
- 1 Red Chili
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1 Tbsp Perilla Oil
Seasoning Ingredients- 180ml Anchovy-Kelp Broth (or water)
- 2 Tbsp Red Pepper Flakes (Gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp Red Pepper Paste (Gochujang)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (or regular soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 180ml Anchovy-Kelp Broth (or water)
- 2 Tbsp Red Pepper Flakes (Gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp Red Pepper Paste (Gochujang)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (or regular soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cut the tofu in half and then into bite-sized pieces, about 2cm thick. Ensure the pieces are not too thin, as they might break apart. If you prefer thicker pieces, adjust the size accordingly.
Step 2
Place the cut tofu on a few layers of paper towels. Gently press down to absorb excess moisture. This step helps prevent the tofu from crumbling during cooking and reduces oil splattering.
Step 3
Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and 1 tablespoon of perilla oil. Carefully place the drained tofu pieces in the pan and fry them until golden brown on both sides. A lightly crisped surface is ideal. Remove the fried tofu from the pan and set aside.
Step 4
Prepare the vegetables. Thinly slice the onion. Cut the green onion diagonally. Seed the Cheongyang peppers and red chili, then chop them finely. Feel free to add more Cheongyang peppers if you enjoy a spicier dish.
Step 5
Open the Spam can and empty its contents into a zip-top bag. Use a rolling pin or the back of a spoon to crush the Spam into smaller pieces. This helps it blend better with the sauce. Alternatively, you can finely chop it with a knife.
Step 6
Now, let’s make the flavorful sauce. In a bowl, combine 180ml of anchovy-kelp broth (or water), 2 tablespoons of gochugaru, 1 tablespoon of gochujang, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce (or regular soy sauce), 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
Step 7
Arrange the pan-fried tofu pieces evenly in the pan. Then, spread the crushed Spam over the tofu.
Step 8
Next, layer the sliced onions on top of the Spam.
Step 9
Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the sliced onions. Bring the stew to a simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, cover the pan and cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld with the tofu and Spam.
Step 10
Once the sauce has reduced slightly, add the chopped Cheongyang peppers and red chili. Cover the pan again and continue to simmer for another 2-3 minutes. This allows the spicy aroma of the peppers to infuse into the stew.
Step 11
Finally, add the diagonally sliced green onion and simmer for a short while longer. The sweetness and fragrance of the green onion will further enhance the dish’s complexity.
Step 12
Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency and all the ingredients are well-seasoned, your delicious Spam and Tofu Stew is ready! Serve it hot over a bowl of steamed rice for a truly satisfying meal.
