Spicy Pork and Tofu Gochujang Stew
Hearty and Spicy Pork and Tofu Gochujang Stew Recipe
On chilly days like these, a bowl of warm and spicy Gochujang stew with rice is the perfect way to feel refreshed and satisfied. This recipe offers a delicious and comforting meal that’s both simple to make and packed with flavor.
Main Ingredients
- Pork shoulder or front leg cut, 1 handful (approx. 100g)
- Firm tofu, 1/4 block (approx. 100g)
- Onion, 1/4 medium
- Oyster mushrooms, a small amount (approx. 30g)
- Scallions, 1 Tbsp (chopped)
Pork Marination
- Cooking wine (like Mirin), 1 Tbsp
- Salt, a pinch
- Black pepper, a pinch
Spicy Seasoning Paste
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste), 3 Tbsp (heaping)
- Minced garlic, 1 Tbsp
- Cheongju (rice wine) or cooking wine, 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce (for soup), 1 Tbsp
- Black pepper, a pinch
- Cooking wine (like Mirin), 1 Tbsp
- Salt, a pinch
- Black pepper, a pinch
Spicy Seasoning Paste
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste), 3 Tbsp (heaping)
- Minced garlic, 1 Tbsp
- Cheongju (rice wine) or cooking wine, 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce (for soup), 1 Tbsp
- Black pepper, a pinch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare about 100g of pork shoulder or front leg cut. Place the pork in a pot and season it with 1 Tbsp of cooking wine, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well. This marination helps remove any gamey odors and makes the pork more tender.
Step 2
Add the marinated pork to the pot and stir-fry over medium heat until the surface of the meat is lightly browned and it starts to release its juices.
Step 3
While the pork is cooking, let’s prepare the flavorful seasoning paste. In a bowl, combine 3 heaping Tbsp of Gochujang, 1 Tbsp of minced garlic, 1 Tbsp of Cheongju (or cooking wine), 1 Tbsp of soy sauce for soup, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly. Using plenty of Gochujang is key for a good spicy kick.
Step 4
Slice the firm tofu into thick pieces, about 1 cm thick. Thinly slice the onion. Trim the ends of the oyster mushrooms and tear them into bite-sized pieces. Prepping the vegetables beforehand will make the cooking process much smoother.
Step 5
On top of the stir-fried pork, evenly arrange the prepared oyster mushrooms and sliced onions. Spoon the Gochujang seasoning paste generously over everything. This allows the seasoning to permeate the vegetables and pork.
Step 6
Now, pour in 3 cups (about 600ml) of anchovy and kelp broth. You can also use rice water or plain water, but using broth will add a deeper, more umami flavor to the stew.
Step 7
Bring the stew to a rolling boil over high heat with the lid off. Once it starts boiling vigorously, get ready to adjust the heat.
Step 8
Once the stew is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for another 7 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors of the pork and vegetables to meld into the broth, creating a rich taste. After 7 minutes, carefully add the sliced tofu to the sides of the pot.
Step 9
Finally, add 1 Tbsp of diagonally sliced scallions and simmer for a short while longer. Taste the stew and add salt if needed to adjust the seasoning. Your delicious and spicy Pork and Tofu Gochujang Stew is ready! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
