Spam Soft Tofu Stew: Deep Flavor with Simple Ingredients
How to Make Delicious Soft Tofu Stew with Spam – An Easy Recipe!
When you think of soft tofu stew (Sundubu jjigae) ingredients, you might assume pork or clams are essential. However, this recipe simplifies things by omitting those, using just one can of Spam to create a surprisingly rich and flavorful stew. The Spam’s savory notes make it easy to build flavor without needing many extra seasonings, resulting in a dish that’s perfect for a quick, satisfying meal. Get ready for a flavor explosion that will have you reaching for bowl after bowl of rice – this Spam soft tofu stew is a true rice thief!
Stew Ingredients
- 1 package Soft Tofu (approx. 350-400g)
- 1 can Spam (200g)
- 1/2 Onion (medium)
- 1/3 Korean Zucchini (medium)
- 1/2 package Enoki Mushrooms (approx. 50g)
- 20cm length Scallion (1 stalk)
- 2 Green Chili Peppers
- 2 cups Water (400ml)
- 1 Egg
Seasoning Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce for Soup (or Fish Sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce for Soup (or Fish Sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients for the stew. Instead of enoki mushrooms, you can use oyster or king oyster mushrooms for a different flavor profile. Also, if you don’t have soup soy sauce, using fish sauce like anchovy or sand lance fish sauce will add more umami.
Step 2
Slice the onion into 0.5cm thick strips. Cut the Korean zucchini into half-moon shapes, also about 0.5cm thick. This size provides a pleasant texture and cooks evenly.
Step 3
Cut the scallion into 20cm lengths and slice them diagonally. Finely chop the green chili peppers. If you enjoy extra spiciness, you can increase the number of chilies or leave the seeds in.
Step 4
For the Spam, either mash it directly in the pot with the back of a knife or a fork, or place it in a zip-top bag and crush it with a rolling pin or your hands. Leaving some chunks intact adds a nice texture.
Step 5
In a pot, heat the cooking oil and sesame oil over medium-low heat. Add the sliced scallions and minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant. This step infuses the oil with the sweet aroma of scallions and garlic.
Step 6
Once the scallions are fragrant, add the mashed Spam and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes over medium heat. The Spam will release some of its savory fat, enhancing the flavor.
Step 7
While the Spam is cooking, add the gochugaru to the rendered fat. Stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn it. Sautéing the chili flakes in oil brings out their color and spicy flavor without making them taste burnt.
Step 8
As the gochugaru fries in the oil, it will naturally release a beautiful chili oil, forming the flavorful base of your stew.
Step 9
Pour in the water (400ml) and add the sliced onions and zucchini. Then, add the soy sauce for soup (2 Tbsp) to season. If using fish sauce, taste and adjust the amount as needed.
Step 10
Bring the stew to a boil and let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are tender but not overly mushy.
Step 11
Once the vegetables are cooked, carefully add the soft tofu. You can gently break it apart with a spoon directly in the pot or cut it into bite-sized pieces beforehand. Using larger chunks will provide a more satisfying texture.
Step 12
Trim the base of the enoki mushrooms and separate them before adding to the pot. Also, add the chopped green chilies at this stage. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with salt, more soy sauce (or fish sauce), or a pinch of MSG if desired, to suit your preference.
Step 13
When the stew is simmering nicely, crack the egg into the pot. You can leave it whole to cook to your desired doneness (soft or firm yolk), or gently break it and stir it in. Finish with a pinch of black pepper. The Spam provides plenty of saltiness and umami, so you won’t need much extra seasoning. This Spam soft tofu stew results in a deeply flavorful and spicy broth that’s incredibly satisfying with rice – a true must-try for a quick and delicious meal!
