Spicy Pork Rib and Kimchi Stew: Deep Flavor Without Aged Kimchi!
Guaranteed Rice Thief! Fail-Proof Pork Rib and Kimchi Stew Golden Recipe
Winter is all about kimchi! Even with freshly made kimchi, you can create a deeply flavorful pork rib and kimchi stew. Don’t worry if you don’t have aged kimchi. Well-fermented fresh kimchi combined with tender pork ribs creates a fantastic side dish that will have you reaching for rice! Let’s make this golden recipe delicious kimchi stew right now!
Main Ingredients
- Pork Ribs 1kg (fresh cut)
- Well-fermented Fresh Kimchi 1/2 head
- Garlic 1 handful (for boiling ribs)
- Whole Peppercorns 10 grains (for boiling ribs)
- Soju 1/2 cup (for boiling ribs)
Seasoning Sauce
- Gochugaru (Korean chili powder) 3 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 Tbsp
- Doenjang (Korean soybean paste) 1 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (or cooking wine) 2 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Oligodang (corn syrup) 2 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 2 Tbsp
- Pepper a pinch
Additional Ingredients
- Green Onion 1 stalk (cut into large pieces)
- Onion 1 medium (cut into large pieces)
- Cheongyang Pepper 2 (optional, for extra spice)
- Water 2 cups (broth or fresh water)
- Gochugaru (Korean chili powder) 3 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 Tbsp
- Doenjang (Korean soybean paste) 1 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (or cooking wine) 2 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Oligodang (corn syrup) 2 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 2 Tbsp
- Pepper a pinch
Additional Ingredients
- Green Onion 1 stalk (cut into large pieces)
- Onion 1 medium (cut into large pieces)
- Cheongyang Pepper 2 (optional, for extra spice)
- Water 2 cups (broth or fresh water)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, the process of removing blood from the pork ribs is important. Soak 1kg of fresh pork ribs in cold water for about 1 hour to drain the blood. Changing the water once during this time will help remove blood more cleanly.
Step 2
Place the blanched pork ribs in boiling water and boil for about 3 minutes for a preliminary cook. At this stage, add a handful of garlic, 10 whole peppercorns, and 1/2 cup of soju. Boiling them together will effectively remove any gamey smell from the pork ribs and get rid of excess grease. This step ensures a cleaner taste.
Step 3
After the preliminary boil, take out the pork ribs and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water. Once rinsed, drain them well in a colander to remove excess water. Ensuring the ribs are well-drained will help the seasoning penetrate better.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the key seasoning sauce for this delicious kimchi stew. In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp doenjang, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp sugar, 2 Tbsp oligodang, 2 Tbsp minced garlic, and a pinch of pepper. Mix them all together thoroughly. Adding doenjang enhances the umami flavor.
Step 5
Add all the prepared seasoning sauce to the drained pork ribs. Gently mix and coat the ribs by massaging them with your hands. After marinating for about 20 minutes, either in the refrigerator or at room temperature, the seasoning will deeply penetrate the pork ribs, resulting in an even more delicious stew.
Step 6
Prepare your kimchi. Using aged kimchi (mukimchi) will yield a much deeper and richer flavor, but don’t worry – you can still make a delicious stew with well-fermented fresh kimchi. Adjust the amount of sugar based on the sourness of your kimchi.
Step 7
While you can add the kimchi whole, if you prefer a prettier presentation, try rolling it up neatly before adding it to the pot. Gently securing the rolled kimchi can help it maintain its shape while simmering, making for a more appetizing final dish.
Step 8
Get a wide and deep pot. Place the rolled kimchi at the bottom of the pot. Layer the marinated pork ribs on top of the kimchi, followed by the large pieces of onion, green onion, and optionally, the Cheongyang peppers. Layering the ingredients helps them cook evenly.
Step 9
Pour 2 cups (about 400ml) of water over the layered ingredients. Be careful not to add too much water, as kimchi and pork ribs will release their own liquids. Adjust the water quantity based on the pot size and the saltiness of your kimchi.
Step 10
Now, cover the pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently for about 40 minutes. During this time, the pork ribs will become tender, and the kimchi will meld beautifully with the seasoning, creating a deep flavor. If the stew becomes too reduced during simmering, add a little water as needed and continue cooking to your preference. The longer you simmer it, the richer the flavor will be!
