Classic Doenjang Jjigae (Soybean Paste Stew)
Doenjang jjigae is the kind of everyday Korean comfort food that never gets old. This simple soybean paste stew comes together in about 20 minutes, tastes rich and cozy, and works with whatever vegetables you already have. It’s the version I grew up eating — clean broth, tender veggies, and that familiar savory depth that makes a weeknight Korean meal feel complete.
Koreans really do love their stews — and I’m no exception. Growing up, doenjang jjigae (된장찌개, soybean paste stew) was a near-daily dish in our home. If it wasn’t on the breakfast table, it would be bubbling away at dinner, always paired with rice, kimchi, and a little warmth after a long day.
My mom made hers with homemade fermented doenjang, so the flavor was deep, earthy, and unmistakably hers. My dad, our family’s self-appointed food critic, never once complained when this stew appeared again (and again).
These days, I use a good store-bought paste with her same method to keep that comforting flavor alive. It’s simple, bold, and satisfying — the kind of Korean stew you can make on a weeknight without thinking twice.
I hope this version brings the same warmth to your table. If you love cozy Korean soups, you might also enjoy my Kimchi Jjigae or Sundubu Jjigae — both classics in the same family of everyday Korean home cooking.
Ingredients I Use for the Best Doenjang Jjigae
After making doenjang jjigae my entire life, I’ve learned that a few thoughtful choices can completely shape the flavor. Here are the ingredients and small choices that shape the flavor of authentic doenjang jjigae.
Doenjang (Korean Fermented Soybean Paste)
For store-bought doenjang, choose a Korean brand with simple ingredients (soybeans, salt, water). Good options are Chung Jung One, Sempio, or O’Food. A quality paste should be golden brown with a nutty, savory aroma — it’s the foundation of the stew.
Add Gochujang & Gochugaru for Depth
A small spoon of gochujang enriches the broth, and a pinch of gochugaru adds gentle heat. Together, they round out the earthiness of the doenjang without overpowering it.
Use Rice Water for a Richer Broth
My mom always used the milky water from the first rice rinse, simmered with anchovies and kelp. It gives the broth more body and quiet umami depth. I still keep a jar in the fridge whenever I rinse rice in the morning.
Stick to Simple, Fresh Vegetables
Doenjang jjigae shines with just a few vegetables. Zucchini and onion bring natural sweetness, tofu absorbs all that savory flavor, and mushrooms add soft earthiness. Garlic and fresh chili slices give the stew a little lift. For a heartier version, thinly sliced beef, clams, or shrimp are classic additions we served when guests visited.
Serve It Bubbling in a Ttukbaegi (Korean Stone Pot)
A ttukbaegi (Korean stone pot) keeps the stew hot and bubbling all the way to the table. It’s not essential, but that sizzling moment brings pure nostalgia to anyone who grew up with Korean home cooking.
Making Doenjang Jjigae: My Go-To Method
Dissolve the doenjang and a little gochujang into anchovy stock simmered with rice water. I like using a small scoop strainer to stir the paste into the broth — it blends smoothly without leaving any lumps.
Once the broth is seasoned, add the zucchini, onion, tofu, and mushrooms. Let them soften and release their sweetness before adding any seafood or extra protein, which soaks up all that savory broth.
Near the end, sprinkle in a little gochugaru and fresh chili slices for extra heat. Let the stew simmer until rich and fragrant, then serve it bubbling hot with rice, kimchi, or any favorite Korean side dishes. One spoonful, and you’ll understand why this stew shows up so often on Korean tables.
If you enjoy this stew, I also share a beef version in my cookbook, Korean Cooking Favorites — it’s one of the variations I make when I want something extra hearty. I have many more comforting dishes like this in my Korean soups and stews section if you want to take a look.
I first shared this recipe in November 2011 and recently updated it with clearer instructions and fresh details. If you try it, please leave a rating and comment — I love hearing how it turns out in your kitchen. And if you enjoy Korean home cooking, you’re welcome to join my newsletter.
Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Soybean Paste Stew)
Recipe Video
Ingredients
For Anchovy Stock
- 2 cups (480 ml) rice water, see note below
- 5 large dried anchovy, deveined
- 1 piece dried sea kelp (dashima)
For Stew
- 2 heaping tbsp (30 g) Korean soybean paste (doenjang)
- 1 tsp (5 g) Korean chili paste (gochujang)
- 1/2 (about 50 g) small onion, chopped
- 1 (about 120 g) small zucchini, diced
- 4 oz (115 g) soft tofu, diced
- 2 oz (56 g) mushroom, optional
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 1 tsp (3 g) Korean chili flakes (gochugaru), optional
- 1 fresh chili, sliced
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
Equipment
- 1 qt (1 liter) stone pot or regular soup pot
Instructions
- To make the anchovy stock, combine rice starch water, dried anchovy, and sea kelp (dashima) in a stone pot or soup pot and bring to boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Discard the anchovies and sea kelp.
- To prepare the stew, use a mini scoop strainer or slotted spoon to dissolve the pastes into the stock. Add the onion and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- When the broth starts to boil, add zucchini, tofu, and mushrooms, then reduce to medium-low heat and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Near the end of cooking, stir in garlic, chili flakes, and fresh chili slices. Once done, turn off the heat and top with chopped green onion for a fresh, aromatic finish.
My teenage son loves miso soup at our sushi place. I made doenjang jigae, and he said it tastes like miso soup on steroids. lol. It is now one of his regular requested meals, with oi muchim and kimchi (both home-made) and rice.
I totally agree with your son—doenjang jjigae is like miso soup on steroids! LOL! Glad he enjoys it. I’m impressed that you make all this delicious Korean food at home—he’s one lucky guy!
Loved this recipe, I think the rice water makes a big difference. Thanks so much for sharing!
Now that you’ve gotten us addicted to doenjang, will you be sharing your mum’s doenjang recipe for those who are keen/mad enough to attempt it? =p
I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed my doenjang jjigae recipe. I hope to share a recipe for making homemade doenjang sometime soon. Thank you!
I’m looking forward to trying this recipe this weekend! I do have a question about the green chili. What kind of green chili is it? Is it a serrano pepper?
You can use any green chili. Usually green fingerlong chilies are widely used but Serano or jalopeno are good as well, but they can be spicier. In that case, use less amount.
Hope you enjoy this jjigae. It’s a perfect stew to make in wintertime. Good luck and enjoy!
Fabulous soup, great flavor. I used some leftover dashi and added two cups chicken broth, another sheet of nori and a sprinkling of dried shrimp. My husband said it was the best soup he’s ever had.
How many grams or ounces are the anchovies? I have small anchovies that I would like to use. Thank you
Hi Charlene
It will be about 2-3 oz.
This recipe always has a potato. You forgot to include that. It makes it more of a hearty stew compared to a soup.
Doenjang jjigae doesn’t always have to include potato. Although it is often used, it’s a personal preference and an optional ingredient. Potato will add heartiness as you mentioned since it helps thicken the stew. However I use rice water in this recipe to add richness without using the potato.
Over a decade in Korea and I’ve eaten this at dozens of restaurants and never once have I ever seen it with a potato
My Chinese friends loved it too. They have never had it before. I was very happy with how it turned out, remind me of my grandmother’s.
Thank you so much for this recipe! It was simple and very delicious. I love Korean food, but unfortunately some websites overly complicate their recipes. I just want to cook tasty every day Korean meals for my family with a minimum of fuss.
Your recipe seems amazing! However if I do not have a stone/clay pot like the one that you use, what other alternatives can I consider?
Thank you, Qiyun.
Although cooking doenjang jjigae in a stone pot is the most traditional method, you don’t have to have the stone pot to enjoy this delicious stew. You can cook it in any small pot. I often cook my doenjang jjigae in a 2 qt size round dutch oven or stainless steel pot. It is equally delicious. Hope you get to try my recipe and like it.
Hi! I just wanted to say that your blog is so inspiring. I have saved so many recipes, which I will try out. I am vegan but feel inspired to make some of your dishes in a vegan way, like the rice balls, kimchi pancakes or kimchi casserole (could easily use soy mince instead). No food blog has made me feel ”wow” lately like yours has. Best wishes, Jenny from Sweden
This looks like an incredible heartwarming stew, Holly. The only jiggae I’ve made is budae jiggae, so I’ll have to expand my repertoire with this!
I’ve never tried this Korean Stew, and I must admit I’m not familiar with some of the ingredients. Also I don’t recall I’ve ever seen such recipe on menu at the Korean restaurants even though I’m a fan of stews. I must admit the combination of flavours and textures sounds intriguing (As I can’t fully imagine the taste of the final product), but it looks delicious and hearty!
Mmmmm this looks so god. I’ve got every ingredient except for the dried anchovies. I’ll work on that!
So glad that you have the doenjang paste and want to try this stew. Hope you like it. It is a delicious Korean stew.
I love this stew and it is a favourite among my friends too! I’ve been using your recipe for years now. This is where I first found out about using rice starch water and it has really made a difference. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your story and your recipe. I am sending my kindest regards as I head to my sunny Polish kitchen to create yet another version of this delicious meal.
Hi, nice website! What makes this different from soondooboo?
I didn’t have zucchini so I used squash instead, it still tastes good! The squash added a little sweetness to the stew. Thanks for your recipe Holly!
You are very welcome. Glad that you liked it.
Thank you Holly, for this very good recipe. I followed your instructions to the letter, and was wowed by the richness and depth of the broth. I’m a soup person, and will definitely make this again and often. This is a keeper 🙂 Many thanks ..
I love your recipes as well that i love korean food !! I tried this one, and i think it turns well, 감사합니다
This looks delicious. Too bad some of the ingredients are not available where I live 🙁
Looks great! I am going to try that recipe myself.
This reply is for Jeff: If there are no Korean, Asian, or specialty shops in your area, you might be able to order the ingredients you’re missing online. 🙂
Wow, I love cooking blog! Full of inspiration!
Wow, looks so delicious!
Hi holly thank you for the recipe, I want to make this for my whole family, so I’d need to triple the ingredients. However, I was wondering if I’d still need to add more anchovies or would it be enough.
You don’t need to triple the amount of ancovies as long as your get the right amount of the stock. You might need to add a little more water, though.
The smell of doenjang jiggae was the most inviting I had ever experienced in Korea. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to fix it for my family.
Instead of the dried anchovies can I use dashi powder?
Yes, you can.
Hey, I realise it’s a pretty old post but in case you see this, can you say how much dashi powder should be used if substituted for the dried anchovies? Thanks!
My husband and I recently bought soybean paste and were looking for a recipe to use it. I made this soup following your instructions and my husband loved it. Thanks for all the details. I am looking forward to keep cooking from the recipes on your website.
I just finished reading your recipe and I´m sure it is delicious, I really enjoyed the way you wrote down this recipe, your writting skills are very much enjoyable and your pictures, simply amazing, my boyfriend is mexican but im sure not only koreans but any men would be conforted by a soup like that!, keep up the amazing work!! Greetings from Mexico!
Hmm it seems like your blog ate my first comment (it
was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any suggestions for first-time blog writers? I’d genuinely appreciate it.
I would like to try to make it but the problem is that I hate tofu. Any suggestion how to replace it with other thing?
Besides, in Italy we dont have enoki mushrooms, we have “porcini”. But I think it would be OK
You can omit the tofu. Porcini has its own strong flavor compared to other type of mushroom. You can use it, but if you can find button mushrooms or oyster mushrooms they would be better fit.
I’ve been having cravings for doenjang jjigae for so long! We do have Korean food in lots of places here, but doenjang jjigae is not found in the cheaper range food stalls. I had one at an authentic Korean restaurant once, but it’s expensive 🙁
Was watching 1박2일 members eating stew and suddenly thought of searching for the recipe. Such joy to find your posts!! ^^ I don’t really like to cook, but I think I’ll try your recipe soon! Thanks for the recipe 😀
-from Singapore-
My 10 month old loved this stew. One of my childhood favorites!
(oops – I didn’t use leeks, but the above describes when I would add them if I had used them.)
Thank you for the recipe and for sharing about your family. I too have the sense that your father would be proud. We have to imagine what our deceased elders who loved us would feel and say. They are still with us in significant ways.
Now, then. I finally made my first stew with your recipe, and I’ve just slurped it down with pride and delight, with sides of rice and kim (laver) that I toasted myself. I lament the wasteful packaging of pre-toasted kim!
I did make one change to the cooking method, that I want to share. I learned this from the world of fermentation, and it’s a technique that I think all true lovers of Korean culture, a culture devoted to healthfulness, would welcome, even though it changes the order of this traditional method.
The thing is that as a fermented product, doenjang and miso are alive. Doenjang offers more benefits alive than dead, but boiling kills it. So I skipped the early doenjang step and proceeded nearly to the end. Then I added the mushrooms and leeks (not green onions) (and clam meat, as a treat.). Then I drew a little liquid from the cooking pot, covered it, and TURNED OFF THE HEAT.
I put the bit of liquid in a small bowl and mashed the doenjang in it thoroughly. THEN I put the thinned doenjang back into the pot, stirred a little, poured it into my serving bowl (no stone pot here yet, alas!), and topped it with the green onions, which cook in the residual heat. I enjoyed knowing that that the stew still held the live cultures of the doenjang.
Thank you again for your wonderful recipe. I, in my own way, offered this first doenjang jjigae of mine to the memory of your dad.
Hi Leah
Thank you so much for your comment and sharing the tip on adding the doenjang paste at the end. I remember reading an article about it in some Korean cookbook of fermented food. You are right, adding it at last will increase the benefit of getting the most of live culture of the paste. It also will bring the stronger flavor as well. Thanks for your kindness of offering this stew to the memory of my deceased father. I appreciate it.
Holly, I was just checking back because I’d forgotten to save your recipe to my dropbox… or bookmarks … or browser history … or anyplace. But I remembered that it was associated with a story about your father, so I searched on doenjang jiggae father and google brought me right back here. I’d forgotten about posting, so thanks, belatedly, for your response. All best to you! (Making another lovely batch today… ahhhh! #homesaltyhome)
Hi Leah
It is so sweet of you leave this comment. Glad to hear that my recipe showed up right away for you and you were able to cook a batch. Some food just brings the comfort, isn’t it? Thank you and all the best for you, too.
I’ve recently developed an affinity for Korean dramas and one thing that stands out to me is the food!! – of all things…lol. This soup looks scrumptious! I will definitely try it which means time for another trip to the Asian market where I get odd looks when I go in knowing exactly what I’m looking for (African American woman tends to stand out…hahaha). Nevertheymind, the food is SO worth it!
I have noticed there are seasoned and unseasoned paste. Is it okay to use the seasoned paste?
Hi Pearl
Is the “seasoned Paste” in the green container? if it is, then it contains some chili paste in it. So omit the chili paste in the recipe.
I made this without the anchovies and added Korean radish. This dish turned out excellent!
yes, you can buy chinese doenjang it's called "min see". It's more pungent than miso and sweeter than doenjang so it tastes different to using miso. I've used miso for salmon too and it's not the same. You need around 1 teaspoon of min see mixed with a little water for 1 salmon steak.
I had tried cooking salmon with miso but never with Chinese paste. Will it be similar?
I made this last night and added fresh clams to it and had it with rice & korean seaweed, it was sooo good! My bf loved this dish so much so I teased him and said he must be korean as this is a favourite dish amongst korean men hehe. Can't believe that doenjang paste is so tasty, we have a similar chinese doenjang paste which is sweeter and i use it to steam salmon and it's delish!
Hi Sarah
I am glad that you liked the stew. Thanks for the comment.
I made this last night and it was delicious! Thanks so much for this recipe.
Ha ha! I know doenjang is not for everyone. Most Korean men (in Korea) loves doenjang stew. It truly is voted for #1 comforting stew for them to miss their mother's cooking even though their wives are great cooks.
This is lovely. I've actually never seen this bad with the starch of rice water… It's interesting! Soy bean paste soup is my favorite Korean soup! 🙂 I don't doub that your father would be extremely proud of you and loved to call you his daughter!
I do think it's funny though that this stew is voted #1 among Korean men. I am half-Korean and my boyfriend is too, but he doesn't like this soup at all! Haha. I made some (for myself) and he tried it, but he stuck to his mother's yuk-gae-jang instead! 😛
this seem to be so good!
Hi
Nice Blog!
I like asian food and this recipe is simple.
Thank you
@c46dca1d3f64dbbcb816542492a27df4
Hi! You can use miso but it will taste a little different. Generally Miso is milder than doenjang but you can look for miso that is stronger in flavor. Look for deep brown tone of miso rather than yellow.
Hi Holly, I'd like to make this soup, but Doenjang paste is impossible to find where I live. Would miso be an acceptable substitution?
Hi Trang
Thanks for the compliments. Hope you can visit my site as often as you can.
@8d9f8fcf78188c19595f52aa36ac77b0
Hi Duncan
Yes, we are excited to have your young family in our home as well. Have a safe drive to KL.
Hi Holly, this is Duncan from Kuantan. You have a beautiful blog and quite a talent for cooking. What a lovely idea to be doing this blog for your children – you can’t go wrong when it comes to food.
@c01c21604566414f02d0c6fc1bbc8346
Hi there
Thanks for visiting my blog. I am not so familiar in cooking with Indian ingredients so I am glad that I found your blog as well. Look forward to learn great Indian recipes from you.
@d228db5f32b3cdbde75d46a8917c0b61
Thanks Bee. You are welcome to my site anytime.
I love your blog. The recipes are clear and the photos are just too professional, like they are taken out of a cookbook.
I love any kind of Korean soup, especially during the kind of winter in the Midwest region of the U.S.
Wow, that is impressive. He's got some Korean factor in his taste bud.
@e5ff742b14eddf1a5cd63be711b937b1
Hi Caroline
yes, you can omit the chili flakes and fresh chilies, too. Hope you nephew would enjoy the stew you made.
my five year old son loves this soup. i will use your recipe next time!
Hi Holly
Thank you for the recipe. Iam going to cook this for dinner. Will it be much different if I omit the chillie flake? Because my young nephew still could not take spicy food yet.
Thanks.
Caroline
wow definitely looks like comfort food. any kind of stew or soup bubbling in a hot claypot is heaven.
Your blog is something I was looking for – detailed instructions on how to make Korean everyday food. I am currently living in Seoul and want to learn more about Korean home cooking before we move again. Thanks for all the tips and recipes! Well come here more often.
I love Korean food and I am really happy to have bumped upon your blog today!! Loved this jijigae recipe. Following you now. I would love your visit to my blog on Indian/Hong Kong food!
@ff5a7342455262aefc19b0703b5a1649
Yes, cook more for your parents. Sharing food with your loved ones is like sharing your heart. It will bring precious memories.
Sophia
Hi Sophia, I am sorry about your grandfather.
Your description of how your grandfather enjoyed the stew was so right! Many Korean men, especially older generation, would do that. My father didn't burp but he did slurp his soup or stew though.
@a6366f025ddce6dd53bdcb8a1d6ccbeb
Thanks. Yes, I do remember, too, of the smell of Doenjang Jjigae in my house or my friends house as a child. It was the natural alarm for us that the dinner is almost ready. I love the smell…
Hyosun Ro
Thanks, Hyosun! A pot of Doenjang Jjigae and a grilled fish is one of the most common humble dinner and I often miss that. Hope you enjoyed your coffee and had a great Saturday morning.
S. Z.
Thanks for the comment.Yes, the rice starch water will thicken the stew quite nicely and brings deeper flavor, too. Give it a try and let me know how it turned out.
Hollly, this is a touching post. I've loved your blog ever since I knew about it. I love you even more now that you are finally doing a doenjang jjigae post, because I've always wanted to make one, but never could. Maybe it's the rice starch water that was missing.
Holly – I am very sorry about your father. That's so sad. You're right this is no. 1 comfort food for Koreans, especially men. This makes me hungry for it, and I am just having my first cup of morning coffee.
I don't think this could look or sound more delicious! It brings back awesome memories of my childhood in Korea. Thanks for the recipe, I love your blog!
I love doenjang jjigae, very comforting indeed – I'm sorry about your father…
This stew moves me too, because it reminds me of my grandfather who passed away three years ago. I will always have the image of him slurping noisily at the stew, and us burping at the same time.
Oh Holly, sorry to hear about your father. This makes me think, I must cook more for my parents when I see them. What a comforting stew this is – I can see why this could be the way to someone's heart!