Korean Kimchi Beef Tofu Stew (Kimchi Jjigae)

A comforting, fiery Korean kimchi stew packed with tender marinated beef, silky tofu cubes, and fresh enoki mushrooms in a rich, savory broth.

Ingredients

• 300 g beef, thinly sliced
• 1 cup chopped kimchi, well-fermented
• 1 block tofu, cubed
• 1 bundle enoki mushrooms
• 2 tbsp Korean chili paste (Gochujang)
• 1 tbsp Korean chili powder (Gochugaru)
• 4 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 0.5 tbsp sugar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 red onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• to taste fresh red and green chili rings

Instructions

1. 1Season the sliced beef

   

   Place the thinly sliced beef into a glass bowl and add the light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch. Mix the ingredients thoroughly by hand to ensure every piece is evenly coated, allowing the rich savory flavors to penetrate the meat completely.

   Tip: Slice the meat against the grain before seasoning to ensure maximum tenderness in the final dish.
2. 2Seal the beef with oil

   

   Pour a splash of cooking oil over the seasoned meat and toss gently. This final coating creates a protective barrier that locks in moisture and keeps the slices incredibly tender while simmering in the hot broth later.

   Tip: Allow the prepared meat to rest at room temperature for ten minutes so the savory elements absorb fully.
3. 3Prepare the chili sauce

   

   In a clear measuring cup, combine two spoonfuls of Korean chili paste, one spoonful of chili powder, half a spoon of sugar, and two spoons of light soy sauce. Pour in a splash of water and stir the mixture vigorously until it forms a smooth, uniform red sauce.

   Tip: Stir the sauce until the sugar crystals are completely dissolved so the sweet and savory flavors blend evenly.
4. 4Sauté the aromatics

   

   Heat a thin layer of cooking oil in a stainless steel pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sliced red onions, stir-frying them continuously until they become soft, translucent, and highly fragrant.

   Tip: Keep the ingredients moving in the pan to prevent the minced garlic from burning and turning bitter.
5. 5Stir-fry the kimchi

   

   Slide the chopped red kimchi directly into the pan alongside the sautéed red onions and garlic. Use a wooden spoon to stir-fry the ingredients together, allowing the seasoned kimchi juices to combine with the fragrant aromatics.

   Tip: Stir-frying the kimchi for a minute before adding liquids helps intensify its sour and savory flavor profile.
6. 6Add the sauce base

   

   Pour the prepared red chili sauce mixture over the stir-fried kimchi and aromatics. Pour in additional clear water as needed to create a rich, savory broth base, then stir everything together to distribute the seasonings.

   Tip: Incorporate the extra water gently to ensure the thick chili paste dissolves completely into a smooth broth.
7. 7Add the mushrooms and tofu

   

   Carefully arrange a generous bundle of fresh enoki mushrooms into the vibrant, simmering red kimchi broth. Gently layer in the cubed white tofu alongside the mushrooms, ensuring they sit comfortably in the seasoned liquid to absorb the spicy flavors.

   Tip: Handle the soft tofu gently to avoid breaking the cubes apart while placing them into the pan.
8. 8Add the marinated beef

   

   Use metal tongs to add the pieces of marinated raw beef directly into the actively boiling stew. Space the meat out evenly next to the tofu and enoki mushrooms so that it cooks uniformly in the flavorful liquid.

   Tip: Spread the beef slices out rather than dropping them in a clump so they cook quickly and remain tender.
9. 9Garnish and finish the stew

   

   After letting the stew boil for about five minutes until the beef is fully cooked, scatter fresh green and red chili rings right over the center of the dish. This adds a vibrant pop of color and a final kick of fresh heat just before serving.

   Tip: Adjust the amount of fresh chili rings based on your spice preference, or remove the seeds to reduce the sharp heat.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions