Classic Korean Spam
Tofu Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae)
A comforting, vibrant Korean stew featuring savory mashed and sliced Spam, rich fermented kimchi, and soft tofu in a bubbling spicy broth. Perfect for cozy nights in.
Spam kimchi stew is a beloved modern Korean comfort food that beautifully marries the savory, salty richness of canned luncheon meat with the tangy depth of aged kimchi. By mashing some of the Spam to brown in the pot first, the broth becomes incredibly rich and deeply flavored.
Ingredients
- 1/2 can Spam (mashed)
- 1/2 can Spam (sliced)
- 1 cup aged kimchi (chopped)
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 medium potato (sliced)
- 1/2 medium onion (sliced)
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1-2 tbsp Korean chili powder (gochugaru)
- 1 block soft or firm tofu (sliced)
- to taste green peppers (sliced)
- to taste scallions (chopped)
Instructions
- 1Prepare and brown the Spam
Mash the Spam into a paste directly in the pot. Stir-fry the mixture over low heat until the oils are released and the edges of the Spam bits turn a nice golden brown.
Tip: Mashing the Spam helps it meld better with the stew broth for a richer flavor. - 2Stir-fry Spam and kimchi
Add the kimchi to the pot containing the browned Spam. Stir-fry them together to fully integrate the flavors and bring out the sour, spicy notes of the kimchi.
Tip: Make sure to stir-fry until the kimchi is slightly softened to get the best texture. - 3Add water and garlic
Pour water into the pot with the stir-fried Spam and kimchi. Add minced garlic to the mixture and bring the liquid to a simmer.
Tip: Adding the garlic at this stage helps infuse the broth with its pungent, savory aroma. - 4Add potatoes and onions
Add the sliced potatoes and onions to the bubbling stew. Let them cook in the broth until the potatoes are tender.
Tip: Ensure the potato slices are uniform in size so they cook evenly. - 5Season the stew
Season the stew by adding light soy sauce and chili powder. Stir well to combine all the flavors into the broth.
Tip: Adjust the amount of chili powder based on your desired level of spiciness. - 6Add Spam slices and tofu
Gently place the additional slices of Spam and tofu into the pot. Allow the stew to continue boiling for another three minutes so the ingredients can absorb the flavorful broth.
Tip: Handle the tofu gently to prevent it from breaking apart while it simmers. - 7Garnish the stew
Just before serving, sprinkle fresh green peppers and scallions over the hot stew. This adds a pop of color and a fresh, crunchy contrast to the savory broth.
Tip: Add these fresh greens at the very last second to keep them vibrant and crisp.
