Rich and Flavorful Spam Kimchi Stew Recipe
Utilize Your Leftover Spam! Spam Kimchi Stew with a Deep, Savory Broth
Have you received a surplus of Spam as a holiday gift and are wondering what to do with it? If your family isn’t a big fan of eating Spam by itself, this recipe is the perfect solution! I tried adding it to Kimchi Stew, and surprisingly, it created a rich and deeply flavorful stew without needing any extra broth. This recipe is a true rice-pairing delight. Enjoy a delicious meal with this fantastic Spam Kimchi Stew!
Main Ingredients- 100g well-fermented kimchi
- 100g Spam (or similar canned processed meat)
- 1 sheet of square fish cake (eomuk)
- 1 handful of fresh bean sprouts
- 4 cups (approx. 800ml) water
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang)
- 2/3 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance)
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar (to balance kimchi’s sourness)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder, fine grind)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang)
- 2/3 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance)
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar (to balance kimchi’s sourness)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder, fine grind)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Finely chop the kimchi into bite-sized pieces (about 1-2cm). Well-fermented kimchi will yield a deeper broth flavor.
Step 2
Remove the Spam from the can and slice it into 1cm thick pieces, then cut them into bite-sized cubes (about 2-3cm). Slice the square fish cake into similar sizes.
Step 3
Rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly under running water and drain. Remove any roots or wilted parts.
Step 4
In a pot with a good depth, add just 1-2 drops of cooking oil and coat the bottom lightly. Add the chopped kimchi, Gochugaru, and sugar. The sugar helps to mellow the tartness of the kimchi and adds umami.
Step 5
Sauté the kimchi over medium-low heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the kimchi softens and the liquid starts to reduce. Stir-frying awakens the refreshing flavor of the kimchi.
Step 6
Pour in the 4 cups of water and the fish sauce. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Adding fish sauce enhances the umami, making the broth more complex.
Step 7
Now, add the sliced Spam to the pot. Continue to simmer over low heat for another 7 minutes, allowing the savory flavor and essence of the Spam to infuse into the broth. Simmering gently over low heat is key for deep flavor extraction.
Step 8
Once the Spam’s fat has rendered and the broth turns slightly opaque and gains a rich depth of flavor, it’s time for the next ingredients.
Step 9
Add the prepared bean sprouts and fish cake to the pot. Finally, add the soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang) to season. Adjusting the seasoning with guk-ganjang at the end helps maintain the clear, deep flavor of the kimchi stew.
Step 10
Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until the fish cake and bean sprouts are cooked through. Be careful not to overcook the bean sprouts, as they will lose their crunch. Serve the finished Kimchi Stew hot in a bowl and enjoy this hearty, delicious meal – it’s the perfect accompaniment to a bowl of rice!
