Spam and Potato Gochujang Stew (Jjigae)
Easy and Delicious Spam Potato Gochujang Stew Recipe
This recipe uses fresh potatoes and savory Spam to create a delightful Gochujang stew, known as ‘Jjigae’ in Korean. It’s a super simple stew where you just combine all the ingredients and seasonings and let it simmer. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal!
Main Ingredients
- 1 can Spam (approx. 200g)
- 3 medium potatoes
- 1/2 onion
- 2 Korean green chili peppers (Cheongyang peppers)
- 500ml water (approx. 2 cups)
Seasoning Mix
- 0.5 Tbsp Doenjang (soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Jin Ganjang (soy sauce for soup)
- 2 Tbsp Guk Ganjang (soup soy sauce)
- 0.5 Tbsp Sugar
- 0.5 Tbsp Doenjang (soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Jin Ganjang (soy sauce for soup)
- 2 Tbsp Guk Ganjang (soup soy sauce)
- 0.5 Tbsp Sugar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the seasoning mix for our delicious stew. In a small bowl, measure out the Doenjang, Gochujang, Gochugaru, Jin Ganjang, Guk Ganjang, and sugar. Mix them thoroughly with a spoon or whisk until well combined. Preparing the seasoning mix in advance makes the cooking process much smoother.
Step 2
Peel the onion and chop it into small, roughly 0.5cm thick pieces. Slicing them not too thick allows the flavors to meld better, resulting in a tastier stew.
Step 3
Finely chop the 2 Korean green chili peppers (Cheongyang peppers) after removing their stems and rinsing them. You can adjust the number of peppers to your spice preference.
Step 4
Wash and peel the fresh potatoes. Then, cut them into bite-sized cubes, about 1.5cm in size. Ensure the potato pieces aren’t too large, as this will reduce cooking time.
Step 5
Open the Spam can and remove the contents. Place the Spam into a resealable plastic bag or a container. Using your hands, a spatula, or the back of a knife, gently mash the Spam. This helps its savory flavor infuse more deeply into the stew broth, creating a richer taste.
Step 6
Now it’s time to combine all the ingredients in the pot. Add the mashed Spam, cubed potatoes, chopped onion, and sliced green chili peppers to the pot.
Step 7
Pour in 500ml of water. Add the prepared seasoning mix to the pot. Give it a gentle stir to distribute the seasoning evenly among the ingredients.
Step 8
Time to cook! Place the pot on the stove over high heat and bring it to a boil for about 10 minutes. This initial boiling period helps the ingredients begin to cook and the broth to develop its flavor.
Step 9
After boiling vigorously on high heat for 10 minutes, reduce the heat to medium-low. Now, let it simmer gently and thicken. You can leave the lid slightly ajar and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the broth has reduced to a stew-like consistency. This slow simmering allows the potatoes to become tender and the broth to become rich and flavorful.
Step 10
Once the broth has thickened and reached a ‘jjigae’ or thick stew consistency, your Spam and Potato Gochujang Stew is ready! Serve it generously over a bowl of hot rice for a hearty and delicious meal. It’s a true flavor explosion!
