Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew with pork)
Kimchi jjigae made with fatty pork makes a rich tasting kimchi stew. Use overly fermented cabbage kimchi for the best result. This classic kimchi jjigae recipe will help you easily create a soul comforting Korean stew.
Kimchi and pork are a match made in heaven.
And this kimchi jjigae recipe is a must if you have a ton of fermented kimchi that you need to use up. The diverse tastes in this stew — warm, comforting, hearty, savory, and almost tangy — really bring out the love in all who try it.
Most commonly, pork kimchi jjigae uses fatty chunks of pork, such as pork belly or pork shoulder. Regional variations, however, can call for many different types of meat or seafood.
Vegetarian kimchi jjigae made with mushrooms is another, meatless way to enjoy this delicious stew.
Kimchi jjigae is a classic. For all Koreans, it brings a nostalgia of childhood. It’s a staple of Korean home cooked meals and people make this stew on a regular basis.
Considering how much kimchi is eaten and stored in every Korean home, it is no surprise that something must be done with the kimchi that has gone beyond its prime time for serving as a side dish.
Kimchi Jjigae Varieties
- Pork kimchi stew (dueji kimchi jjigae): This is the standard kimchi stew using fatty pieces of pork and tofu.
- Tuna kimchi stew (chamchi kimchi jjigae): Canned tuna comes in handy for this stew. Tuna kimchi jjigae is typically prepared for camping trips because of its ease and portability (no refrigeration needed for the ingredients).
- Mackerel pike kimchi stew (kkongchi kimchi jjigae): This is made with canned mackerel pike.
- Spam kimchi Stew: Using a can of spam makes another delicious Kimchi stew in no time.
- Anchovy kimchi stew (myulchi kimchi jjigae): This is a classic kimchi stew from the southern part of South Korea that is made with dried anchovies and perilla oil.
- Fish cake kimchi stew (eomuk kimchi jjigae): Using Korean fish cakes and anchovy stock makes a uniquely mild and savory stew. My cookbook, Korean Cooking Favorites, shares a recipe, so check it out.
Recipe Tips for making better pork kimchi jjigae
Kimchi stew is always tasty even if you mess it up. However, if you want to bring more flavor depth and umami to your stew, follow these tips below. You will get a best tasting jjigae of all.
- Use very old, sour cabbage kimchi.
- The fattier the pork, the better it tastes. Fat builds the flavor. I recommend using pork belly or pork shoulder with a layer of fat attached.
- Don’t skip the kimchi juice (or kimchi liquid). It has all the good taste in it and adds flavor depth to your jjiage.
- A hint of Korean salted shrimp deepens the flavor of kimchi jjigae
- Throw a few pieces of rice cakes in to thicken the stew broth. However, this is optional.
- Water vs anchovy stock as a soup base? Either one works. I found using plain water works better in pork kimchi stew, though. It maintains the natural flavor of pork better.
How to make kimchi jjigae
Step 1. Heat oil in a pot over medium high heat. Add pork belly slices and cook throughly. Add onion and garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
Step 2. Add Korean chili flakes and toss everything to coat.
Step 3. Add sliced kimchi, kimchi juice, water, and rice cakes (if using). Cover with a lid and bring to boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Step 4. Add salted shrimp snd Korean soup soy sauce and stir the stew. Taste the stew and season more with salt if needed.
Step 5. Add tofu slices and simmer for another 5 minutes. As a final step just before serving, garnish with green onion.
What to eat with kimchi stew
Enjoy kimchi jjiage hot with rice and a few Korean side dishes. Typically, seasoned Korean roasted seaweed sheets (jomi gim, 조미김) are often paired with kimchi jjigae. You will find that many Korean kimchi jjjigae restaurants serve this combo together.
Here are few Korean side dishes I suggest:
- Korean Spinach Side Dish (Sigeumchi Namul)
- Korean Dried Anchovy Side Dish (Two Recipes)
- Homemade Roasted & Dried Seaweed Snack
- Korean Bean Sprout Side Dish (Kongnaul Muchim)
- Korean Zucchini Banchan (Side Dish Recipe)
- Korean Pan-Fried Potatoes (Gamja Bokkeum)
Other popular Korean Jjigae
If you enjoy Korean stews, these recipes below are a few of well known recipes:
- Soondubu Jjigae Recipe (Korean Soft Tofu Soup)
- Classic Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Soybean Paste Stew)
- Iconic Korean Army Stew (Budae Jjigae)
- Korean Spicy Pork Stew with Zucchini
- Spicy Korean Chicken Stew (Dakdoritang)
Tried this recipe? Please take a moment to leave a star rating & comment below. I love hearing from you, and it helps other readers, too.
Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew with Pork)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1/2 lb pork belly, sliced
- 1/2 medium onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tbsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 lb sour kimchi, sliced
- 4 tbsp kimchi juice
- 2 1/2 cup water
- 5 piece rice cake rounds, optional
- 1 tsp Korean salted shrimp
- 1 tbsp Korean soup soy sauce (gukganjang), or Korean tuna sauce
- 1/2 lb soft tofu, sliced
- 1 green onion, chopped
- pinches salt , to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pot over medium high heat. Add pork belly slices and cook throughly. Add onion and garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add Korean chili flakes and toss everything to coat.
- Add sliced kimchi, kimchi juice, water, and rice cakes (if using). Cover with a lid and bring to boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Add salted shrimp snd Korean soup soy sauce and stir the stew. Taste the stew and season more with salt if needed.
- Add tofu slices and simmer for another 5 minutes. As a final step just before serving, garnish with green onion. Enjoy kimchi jjiage hot with rice and a few Korean side dishes.
I found your site while looking for kimchi recipe and i have to say i cant stop reading your post lol Very authentic Korean cooking that i want to try out one by one! Those ingredient is v easy to find in Singapore, i saw them at Korean stores but never tried, your step by step guide with amazing photos is great help. Thanks for sharing and wish you a smooth move home.
Thank you I am really interested in making this stew… but I must wait for my kimchi to ferment… I was wondering if there is a specific amount of reserved kimchi juice that you need. 1 cup? 1 1/2 cups? Please let me know, thank you!
Hi Joanna
The recipe says 1/2cup of kimchi juice. Hope you like the stew!
thank i am very much interested to try make this stew kimchi i love to eat thank you very much ,,,HOLLY
Hi Holly
Can you please let know how long can kimchee be kept in the fridge?
Thank you.
Depends on the types of Kimchi, it can be kept from 1 month to 1 year. Usually cabbage kimchi last longer than radish kimchi or cucumber kimchi. If the cabbage kimchi is in whole (wrapped in its own leaf, not diced) made with Korean cabbage, they can last up to 1 year if stored properly in the fridge. Some cabbage kimchi can last longer but those are for stews and braising dishes. I have tried 3 year old kimchi. Very sour, can’t eat the way it is, but made wonderful stews.
that looks like a beautiful stew! i made korean gamjatang before, and would love to try more korean stews! yay and i have kimchee now, althought not as good as yours I'm afraid ):
http://mummyicancook.blogspot.com/2011/01/gamjatang-korean-pork-bone-soup.html
I`m falling in love with your blue pot. With kimchi stew in it 😀 With this kind of weather, kimchi stew is the best!
LOVE your Staub! I have one in Grenadine. It really is true love.
While i'm not a huge fan of kimchee, your pictures are beautiful and I -really- like your blue pot, what is the brand of it?
What a funny story! hehe I love kimchi jjigae 😀 and love your step by step photos as always