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Flavorful Kimchi Jjigae Stew with Tender Pork Belly

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A spicy, tangy Korean stew featuring tender pork belly and well-fermented kimchi, perfect for cozy dinners and easy to prepare even for beginners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) pork belly, sliced into bite-sized pieces
  • 1.5 cups (about 230g) kimchi, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) kimchi juice
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
  • 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • 1 block (14 oz or 400g) firm or medium tofu, cut into cubes (optional but recommended)
  • 2 stalks green onions, sliced thinly
  • 4 cups (960ml) dashi or anchovy broth
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional but recommended)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Slice pork belly into bite-sized pieces. Roughly chop kimchi and reserve kimchi juice. Thinly slice onion and mince garlic. (About 10 minutes)
  2. Heat a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add pork belly pieces and cook until golden brown and slightly crispy, about 6-8 minutes.
  3. Add sliced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and onions soften.
  4. Stir in chopped kimchi, gochugaru, and gochujang. Cook for 3-4 minutes until kimchi softens and spices release aroma.
  5. Pour in dashi or anchovy broth, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
  6. Add cubed tofu gently to the pot. Simmer for another 5-7 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper as needed.
  7. Turn off heat and stir in toasted sesame oil. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.

Notes

Use well-fermented kimchi for best flavor. Sear pork belly properly for depth and texture. Simmer gently to keep broth clear and pork tender. Adjust salt carefully due to salty kimchi and broth. Let stew rest 10 minutes before serving to deepen flavors. For vegetarian version, omit pork belly and use shiitake mushroom broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: kimchi jjigae, Korean stew, pork belly stew, spicy kimchi stew, easy Korean recipe, comfort food, tofu stew

Find it online: https://evabake.com/flavorful-kimchi-jjigae-stew-with-tender-pork-belly-easy-recipe-for-beginners/