Hearty Mackerel Can ‘Chueotang’ (Korean Fish Stew)
Quick & Healthy! Enjoy a Nutritious Korean Fish Stew Made Easily with Mackerel Can
This isn’t quite the Baek Jong-won style, but it’s the comforting ‘Mom’s style’ mackerel can chueotang I remember from my childhood! Even though it’s a simple chueotang made with canned mackerel, its taste and nutritional value are on par with other hearty health foods. This mackerel can chueotang is a truly satisfying dish that doesn’t fall short in flavor or nutrition.
Main Ingredients- 1 can of Mackerel (drain the liquid, use only the solids)
- 150g Dried Fernbrake (Gosari), soaked and prepared
- 100g Boiled Napa Cabbage (or Siraegi – dried cabbage)
- 1/2 Onion
- 3 Korean Green Chilies (Cheongyang)
- 1 Green Onion (Scallion)
- 5 cups Rice Water (approx. 1L)
- A little Wild Ginger Leaves (or Perilla Leaves) for aroma
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3-4 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust for spice level)
- 1 Tbsp Doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Saenggang-sul (rice wine with ginger) or Mirin
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 2 Tbsp Guk-ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce)
- A pinch of Salt (to adjust seasoning)
- A pinch of Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3-4 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust for spice level)
- 1 Tbsp Doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Saenggang-sul (rice wine with ginger) or Mirin
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 2 Tbsp Guk-ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce)
- A pinch of Salt (to adjust seasoning)
- A pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly prepare all the ingredients for the dish. For the canned mackerel, drain the liquid completely using a sieve and reserve only the solids.
Step 2
Cut the soaked fernbrake and boiled Napa cabbage (or siraegi) into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm long. Cutting them slightly larger will improve the texture.
Step 3
Thinly slice the onion. Finely chop the Korean green chilies. If you like it spicier, you can leave the seeds in.
Step 4
Slice the green onion diagonally into large pieces. Slicing them too thinly might make them mushy when cooked.
Step 5
Place the solids from the canned mackerel in a sieve to drain any remaining liquid. Transfer the mackerel to a wide bowl. Using a spoon or fork, mash the mackerel flesh, removing any bones and skin, until it’s flaky.
Step 6
Put the mashed mackerel into a pot. Pour in the prepared rice water. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring and breaking up the mackerel flesh into the rice water.
Step 7
In a separate bowl, combine the chopped fernbrake and cabbage (or siraegi). Add all the prepared seasoning ingredients: gochujang, gochugaru, doenjang, minced garlic, saenggang-sul (or mirin), and mirin.
Step 8
Gently mix the fernbrake and cabbage with the seasonings using your hands. This pre-marinating step allows the flavors to meld deeply into the ingredients.
Step 9
Add the pre-marinated fernbrake and cabbage to the pot with the rice water and mackerel. Bring back to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer gently.
Step 10
Simmer for about 10 minutes over medium heat to allow the flavors to meld together. The mackerel will break down further into the rice water, creating a thicker broth.
Step 11
Add the saenggang-sul (or mirin) to further eliminate any fishy smell. Adjust the overall seasoning with guk-ganjang and salt. Then, add the sliced onion and chopped chilies and simmer briefly. Finally, add a pinch of black pepper for added aroma.
Step 12
Add the diagonally sliced green onion and simmer for a short while longer. This will infuse the broth with the fresh flavor of the green onion.
Step 13
For an extra layer of unique flavor, add the aromatic wild ginger leaves (or perilla leaves) according to your preference. Simmer briefly to preserve their fragrance.
Step 14
Your hearty and deeply flavorful Mackerel Can Chueotang is ready! Filled with generous amounts of ingredients, this stew is a delicious and nutritious meal. Enjoy it hot and stay healthy this summer!
