Rich & Flavorful Pork Neck Kimchi Stew with Aged Kimchi
Korean Home Cooking Essential! Pork Neck Aged Kimchi Jjim Recipe – A Perfect Kimchi Side Dish
Experience the fantastic harmony of well-aged kimchi and tender pork neck! This recipe for aged kimchi stew, infused with the aroma of perilla oil, will make you devour a bowl of rice in no time. We provide detailed, easy-to-follow steps and helpful tips.
Main Ingredients- 400g Pork Neck
- 1/4 head of Aged Kimchi (well-fermented)
- 2 Tbsp Perilla Oil
- 1/2 stalk Scallion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly clean out the spicy paste from the aged kimchi and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Removing the inner paste prevents a ‘muddy’ flavor, allowing for a cleaner taste. I’ve prepared extra kimchi because I prefer more kimchi in my stew!
Step 2
Pat the pork neck dry with paper towels. Heat a pan and sear the pork neck on both sides until golden brown. The fat in the pork neck adds richness and flavor to the kimchi stew. Sear until the surface is nicely browned.
Step 3
Once the pork neck is nicely seared, place the prepared kimchi on top, covering the meat.
Step 4
Now, let’s add the seasonings that will bring out the stew’s flavor. Pour in 400ml of water (part of the total 500ml), 1 Tbsp of sugar, 1 Tbsp of perilla oil, 1 Tbsp of fish sauce, and a pinch of minced ginger (about 1 small piece). For a deeper flavor, consider using anchovy-kelp broth or beef bone broth instead of water. You can also add sliced onion or Korean chili peppers to your liking.
Step 5
Next, add the remaining seasonings. Add 1 Tbsp of fish sauce (total 2 Tbsp), 2 Tbsp of perilla oil (total 3 Tbsp), the remaining 100ml of water, 2 Tbsp of minced garlic, and 1 Tbsp of gochugaru. Slice the scallion diagonally.
Step 6
Cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, uncover the pot and continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, checking the tenderness of the kimchi and pork. Simmering for over 40 minutes in total ensures that both the kimchi and pork neck become wonderfully tender. If you want to preserve the fresh garlic aroma, add the minced garlic during the final simmering stage with the lid off.
Step 7
This pork neck aged kimchi stew, with its savory broth, makes a complete and satisfying meal. You won’t need many side dishes! The cooking process is straightforward, making it accessible even for beginner cooks.
Step 8
Savor the complex flavors of the aged kimchi, complemented by the nutty perilla oil and tender pork neck, creating a refreshing yet deeply savory taste that perfectly pairs with rice.
