Flavorful ‘Jjabaek’ Doenjang Jjigae: A Hearty Korean Soybean Paste Stew (Delicious Without Meat!)
Jjabaek Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Soybean Paste Stew)
Whip up a delicious ‘Jjabaek’ Doenjang Jjigae, a savory and slightly thick soybean paste stew that’s perfect for enjoying with ssam (lettuce wraps), even without any meat! This recipe focuses on maximizing flavor with pantry staples, creating a deeply satisfying dish that’s incredibly easy to make. Perfect for a quick and comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 1 medium potato
- 1 medium onion
- 2 Korean chili peppers (cheongyang peppers)
- 1/2 stalk of green onion
- 1/2 Tbsp Doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp Ssamjang (Korean seasoned soybean paste)
- 1/2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of MSG or other seasoning enhancer (optional)
- 300ml water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a small pot, combine 1/2 Tbsp Doenjang, 1 Tbsp Ssamjang, 1/2 Tbsp Gochugaru, and 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic. If you enjoy a bit more heat, finely mince 2 Korean chili peppers and add them to the pot. You can substitute Ssamjang with Gochujang (Korean red chili paste), or use a combination of both for an even richer flavor profile.
Step 2
Pour in 300ml of water. Whisk thoroughly with a whisk or spoon until the pastes are completely dissolved and there are no lumps. This ensures a smooth broth and prevents the pastes from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step 3
Peel and dice the potato into bite-sized pieces. Avoid cutting them too large, as this will increase cooking time. Dice the onion similarly. Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms at this stage for extra texture and flavor.
Step 4
Add the diced potato and onion to the dissolved paste mixture. If you’d like to enhance the umami, add a pinch of MSG or your preferred seasoning enhancer. (Optional)
Step 5
Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer until the vegetables are tender.
Step 6
Slice the green onion thinly on an angle. Avoid chopping it too finely; slightly thicker slices will retain more flavor and texture.
Step 7
Once the potatoes and onions are mostly cooked, add the sliced green onions to the stew. Let it simmer for another minute or two until the green onions are slightly softened and fragrant. Your delicious and easy ‘Jjabaek’ Doenjang Jjigae is ready! It’s incredibly simple, yet the taste is so satisfying with a bowl of rice.
