Savory and Spicy Tofu Stew (Dubu Jjageuli)
The Ultimate Rice Thief! Devour a Bowl of Rice with this Delicious Tofu Stew!
This Tofu Jjageuli, simmered to a bubbling perfection, is a fantastic side dish that pairs incredibly well with rice. Its savory and spicy notes will make you devour your rice in no time! It’s truly delicious!
Main Ingredients
- 1 block Tofu (firm or stewing type)
- 1 cup minced Green Onion
- 1/4 Onion
- 2-3 Cheongyang Peppers (adjust to taste)
- 1 Red Chili Pepper (for color, optional)
- 100g Ground Pork
- 1/2 pack Enoki Mushrooms
Seasoning Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Fine Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 3 Tbsp Guk-ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (anchovy or sand lance)
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1.5 cups Water (300ml)
- 1 Tbsp Fine Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 3 Tbsp Guk-ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (anchovy or sand lance)
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1.5 cups Water (300ml)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, finely chop the green onions. Also, finely dice the quartered onion. Mincing the vegetables this way helps them absorb the seasoning better and contributes to a more harmonious flavor.
Step 2
Slice 2-3 Cheongyang peppers to add a spicy kick, adjusting the amount to your preference. If you have a red chili pepper, slice one for a vibrant color. You can omit the red chili pepper if it’s unavailable.
Step 3
Cut the tofu into large, bite-sized cubes, about 2-2.5 cm (approximately 1 inch) thick. Cutting the tofu into larger pieces helps prevent it from breaking apart too much during cooking.
Step 4
In a bowl, combine the ground pork, finely minced onion, and minced green onion. Add all the seasoning sauce ingredients (fine gochugaru, regular gochugaru, guk-ganjang, fish sauce, minced garlic, sugar) and mix well with your hands. Marinating the ingredients beforehand allows for a deeper flavor infusion.
Step 5
Now, arrange the large tofu cubes in a single layer at the bottom of the pot. This is the first step to prevent the tofu from sticking to the bottom.
Step 6
Pour the prepared seasoning sauce from step 3 evenly over the tofu. It might seem like a lot of sauce, covering the tofu completely, but this is normal as it will reduce during cooking. Ensure the sauce seeps well between the tofu pieces.
Step 7
Place the pot over medium-low heat and bring it to a simmer. To prevent the tofu from sticking to the bottom, gently lift the tofu and sauce with a spoon or spatula occasionally once it starts simmering. This allows the sauce to penetrate the bottom layers of tofu, ensuring even seasoning.
Step 8
Continue to simmer gently over medium-low heat. As the chopped green onions and onions cook down, they will release their flavors, and the tofu will gradually become visible. You’ll start to smell the delicious aromas at this stage.
Step 9
Once the tofu and seasoning have melded together nicely, add the sliced Cheongyang peppers and red chili pepper. Adding the peppers will enhance the spicy aroma and flavor, creating a richer taste.
Step 10
When the sauce has reduced by about half and has thickened to a rich consistency, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed by adding a bit more guk-ganjang. Since this dish is meant to be mixed with rice, it’s best to have it slightly on the saltier side. (Tip: I added a little less than 1 Tbsp of guk-ganjang for mixing with rice.)
Step 11
Finally, tear the enoki mushrooms into smaller pieces and place them on top. Add any remaining chili peppers if you like. Cook for just another 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the enoki mushrooms are tender, then turn off the heat. Your delicious Tofu Jjageuli is ready!
Step 12
This jjageuli, with its generous amount of onions, offers a subtle, natural sweetness. The ground pork blends seamlessly with the sauce, creating a tender texture that is absolutely perfect when mixed with rice. It’s a dish that will make your rice disappear in no time!
Step 13
Serve this bubbling Tofu Jjageuli generously over a bowl of hot rice and mix it all together. You’ll be captivated by its rich, satisfying flavor that clings perfectly to the rice! This recipe is guaranteed to be delicious! ♡
