Simple & Delicious Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Soybean Paste Stew)
Super Easy Doenjang Jjigae Recipe for Beginners
Whip up a comforting bowl of Korean soybean paste stew with your leftover vegetables! This recipe is designed for 5-6 servings and is incredibly easy to make, perfect for beginners. Enjoy a hearty meal with the rich broth and savory depth of doenjang.
Basic Ingredients
- Doenjang (Korean soybean paste) 2 Tbsp (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 medium Onion (approx. 80g)
- 1/2 small Zucchini (approx. 100g)
- 200g Oyster Mushrooms (or shiitake, king oyster mushrooms, etc.)
- 1/2 hot Pepper (e.g., Cheongyang pepper, adjust to spice preference)
- A little Green Onion (mostly the white part)
- 1/3 Tbsp minced Garlic (approx. 5g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
1. Dice the zucchini and onion into approximately 1cm cubes, or chop them smaller according to your preference. If you prefer some texture, avoid chopping them too finely.
Step 2
2. Trim the base of the oyster mushrooms and tear them into bite-sized pieces with your hands. If using other mushrooms, slice them into appropriate sizes. Different mushrooms add wonderful depth to the broth, so feel free to use your favorites in generous amounts.
Step 3
3. In a pot, bring 5-6 cups (approx. 1 liter) of anchovy-dashima broth or rice water to a boil. Once boiling, add all the prepared vegetables: zucchini, onion, and oyster mushrooms. Toss in the hot pepper and minced garlic at this stage as well. Let the vegetables simmer for about 5-7 minutes until tender.
Step 4
4. Once the vegetables are somewhat cooked, dissolve the doenjang into the broth using a sieve. After adding the doenjang, bring the stew to a rolling boil again to allow the savory flavors to infuse the broth. Taste and adjust seasoning; if it’s too bland, add a little more doenjang or a splash of soy sauce for stew.
Step 5
5. When the doenjang jjigae is boiling vigorously again, add the chopped green onions and simmer for another moment. Once the green onions are slightly wilted, turn off the heat and serve. If you’re using bottled bean paste, it often has a rich flavor that requires minimal additional seasoning. However, feel free to enhance it further by adding ingredients like tofu, clams, or beef slices! ^^
