Pork Neck Kimchi Jjigae (Spicy Braised Kimchi Stew with Pork)
Spicy and Savory Pork Neck Kimchi Jjigae
A hearty and flavorful Kimchi Jjigae made with well-fermented kimchi and tender pork neck. This dish is spiced up with fresh chili peppers, making it a perfect appetite stimulant. The thick-cut pork neck is wonderfully satisfying when wrapped in lettuce with rice. Enjoy this delicious and satisfying stew that’s sure to become a rice-hugging favorite!
Main Ingredients- 250g Pork neck, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 bowls Ripe kimchi, chopped
- 1 ladle Kimchi brine
- 1 Cheongyang pepper (Korean chili pepper), thinly sliced diagonally
- 1/4 Onion, thinly sliced
Seasoning & Others- 1 Tbsp Fish sauce (or soy sauce if unavailable)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine for cooking)
- Pinch of sugar (adjust based on kimchi’s sourness)
- 250ml Water or anchovy broth
- 1 Tbsp Fish sauce (or soy sauce if unavailable)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine for cooking)
- Pinch of sugar (adjust based on kimchi’s sourness)
- 250ml Water or anchovy broth
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cut the pork neck into pieces slightly thicker than bite-sized. Place the cut pork into a pot. Add 2 tablespoons of mirin and a pinch of black pepper to marinate the pork, helping to remove any gamey smell and tenderize the meat.
Step 2
Stir-fry the pork over medium heat until the pink color disappears from the surface. Searing the pork like this locks in the juices, resulting in a richer flavor.
Step 3
Once the pork is partially cooked, add the chopped kimchi and 1 ladle of kimchi brine. Stir-fry them together. At this stage, add 1 tablespoon of fish sauce for umami and a pinch of sugar to balance the sourness of the kimchi.
Step 4
Now it’s time to add 250ml of water. Using anchovy broth or vegetable broth instead of plain water will create a deeper and more complex flavor profile for the stew. Bring it to a boil over high heat.
Step 5
Once the stew begins to boil, add the diagonally sliced Cheongyang peppers for a spicy kick, and the thinly sliced onions for sweetness. You can also add sliced green onions if you like.
Step 6
Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently until the liquid has reduced to a stew-like consistency. During this simmering process, the flavors of all the ingredients will meld together, creating a delicious Kimchi Jjigae.
Step 7
Ladle the well-simmered Pork Neck Kimchi Jjigae into a serving bowl. It’s incredibly delicious served over a bowl of hot rice or wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves with rice. Enjoy a hearty and satisfying meal with this wonderful Kimchi Jjigae tonight!
