This particular Korean braised chicken (Andong Jjimdak) is a popular chicken dish from a town of Andong in Korea. Chicken pieces and vegetables, such as onion, carrots, and potatoes, along with sweet potato glass noodles, are braised in a spicy soy sauce with dried red chilies. Don’t miss out on the two secret ingredients because they make the stew extra delicious. Serve warm with rice.

Korean Braised Chicken (Andong jjimdak) is simmered with onion, carrot, potato, and sweet potato noodles.

Koreans love their chickens. We deep-fry them, steam them, boil them, and braise them. Out of all these cooking method, I love the braised chicken the best. This Andong style Korean braised chicken (jjimdak, 찜닭) is not an exception.

What is Andong Jjimdak ?

Andong is a town of Gyoungbuk province, which is a southeastern part of south Korea. This particular Korean braised chicken dish is originated from Andong.

Different stories are told regarding how this dish was originated, but everyone agrees that this particular chicken dish was started in a market street, known as “chicken ally”, in Andong . All the chicken restaurants in the ally sells a similar braised chicken dish regardless where you dine in, and thus Andong Jjimdak became a well known dish to visitors and outsiders. It’s one of the well known stew dishes made with chicken among Korean soup and stew recipes.

Dakdoritang vs Andong Jjimdak

Another well-known and popular Korean braised chicken dish is the Dakdoritang (spicy Korean chicken stew). The difference is that while Dakdoritang is made with gochujang (Korean chili paste), this Jjimdak (braised chicken) is based on soy sauce instead. The addition of Korean sweet potato noodles (dangmyeon) in the dish make it heartier and extra delicious.

You can’t beat the fall-apart tender meat that holds all the wonderful flavor underneath. It is a perfect dish to serve in the fall, although it doesn’t really matter and you can enjoy any time of the year.

The chicken pieces, onion, carrot, and potato pieces are simmered in delicious and slightly spicy broth made with soy sauce. The addition of Korean sweet potato noodles (aka dangmyeon, 당면) make this dish more satisfying and delicious. Cola Braised Chicken is another variation using sweet potato noodles.

Since I love this Jjimdak and several who tried this recipe and loved it, I included this recipe in my cookbook, Korean Cooking Favorites. This is one of the best Korean chicken recipes.

You will also find 2 unique ingredients that makes this Jjimdak extra special. Want to know what they are? Keep reading and you will be surprised. Besides, it’s a gluten-free dish as long as you use gluten-free soy sauce. (FYI, sweet potato noodles are essentially gluten-free.)

Chicken Tips

  1. Use boned chicken pieces: Either a whole chicken that is cut up into pieces or use combination of chicken thighs and drumsticks. Boneless chicken won’t give you the same results. Save the boneless chicken for stir-fried dishes.
  2. Skinless Chicken: Personally I am not a huge fan of slimy chicken skin in the stew, so I remove the skin when I make this chicken stew. However, that is an optional choice for you.

What to serve with Korean Braised Chicken

Typically, Andong jjimdak is served with freshly cooked rice and kimchi. Learn how to cook rice on the stove, if you haven’t done it yet. Its easier than you think (with or without beans).

How to make Korean Braised Chicken

dangmyun

Step 1. Soak the noodles

First thing you need to do; soak your dangmyeon (sweet potato noodles) in warm water. Set aside. You can find this noodles in any Korean grocery stores.

Step 2. Parboil the chicken

Secondly, I would suggest to parboil the chicken for a few minutes. Cook chicken pieces in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Then remove the chicken and discard the water.

This will help to get rid of extra fat, and remove the gamy odor prior to the addition of the seasoning sauce. The extra step also makes the stew gravy clean and light.

Step 3. Mix the Sauce

Combine all the sauce ingredients including the two unique ingredients.

Two secret ingredients are:

  1. dark brown sugar
  2. cocoa powder

I know they sound slightly awkward for Korean cuisine. But trust me, you will love the flavor they add in the dish. It also helps the sauce to be darker, making it look more appetizing.

Step 4. Simmer chicken in the sauce

Pour the sauce over chicken and throw some dried chilies. Use as many chilies as you desire.

Bring to a gentle boil, then turn your chicken to the other side. Cover and let them simmer for 20 minutes over low heat.

Step 5. Add vegetables

Add the onion and carrot slices. Stir them well, cover, and continue to simmer for 10 minutes.

Add potato slices and green chili (optional). You will want to raise the heat to medium-low.

Step 6. Add the noodles

When the vegetables are just tender, add the noodles that has been soaked in water (Make sure to drain off the soaking water). Don’t overcook the potatoes. Otherwise they will easily break and become muddy.

Spoon up the sauce all over.

Raise the heat to medium-high and bring the whole thing to a gentle boil, uncovered. The noodles will only need about 3-5 minutes to cook.

Korean Braised Chicken, Jjimdak

Step 7. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before you serve

Done! Let the whole thing to sit for 5 minutes so the chicken, the vegetables, and the noodles can soak up the great flavor of the sauce.

Korean Braised Chicken, Jjimdak

The chicken pieces are almost falling off the bones, the vegetables are tender, and the noodles are so chewy. How about the gravy? It’s to die for delicious.

Serve Korean braised chicken (Jjimdak) with rice.

Step 8. Serve warm with rice

Typically, we like to serve this chicken with a little bit of rice to soak up all that tasty gravy. Just drizzle over rice and enjoy the goodness.

More Korean Chicken Recipes

Korean Braised Chicken (Andong jjimdak) is simmered with onion, carrot, potato, and sweet potato noodles.

Korean Braised Chicken (Andong Jjimdak)

This Korean braised chicken (Andong Jjimdak) uses chicken pieces, onion, carrots, and potatoes, along with sweet potato glass noodles, and braised in a spicy soy sauce together with dried red chilies.
5 from 1 rating

Ingredients

  • 6 oz Korean glass noodles (dangmyeon)
  • 3 lb whole chicken, cut up into pieces, or boned chicken thighs and drumsticks
  • 6-8 dried red chilies
  • 2/3 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp minced fresh ginger
  • 4-6 tbsp dark brown sugar
  • 2 tsp cocoa powder
  • 4 tbsp corn syrup
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 carrot, diced into large chunks
  • 2-3 medium potatoes , sliced into 1/2-inch disks
  • 1 fresh green chili, sliced, optional

Instructions 

  • Soak the sweet potato noodles in warm water and set aside until ready to use.
  • Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add chicken pieces and boil for 2-3 minutes. Drain the chicken and discard the water. Return the chicken to a braising pot and add the dried chilies.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, water, garlic, ginger, sugar, cocoa powder, corn syrup, and pepper. Pour over on the chicken and chilies.
  • Bring the chicken mixture to a gentle boil. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minute. Add the onion and carrots to the chicken and continue to simmer for 10 minutes, covered.
  • Add the potatoes and fresh chili, and cook until they are tender, about 10 minutes, with a lid half open.
  • When the chicken and vegetables are just tender, drain the sweet potato noodles from the soaking water and add to the chicken. Raise the heat to medium-high and continue to cook until the noodles are tender yet chewy, about 3-5 minutes, uncovered.
  • Remove the pot from the heat and let the stew sit for 5 minutes before you serve. Serve warm with rice.
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