Korean Spicy Kimchi Tofu Soup (Kimchi-jjigae)

A comforting, bubbling Korean kimchi-jjigae packed with tender beef, silken tofu, potatoes, and mushrooms, simmered in a rich and spicy broth.

Ingredients

• 200 g beef slices
• 1 portion well-fermented kimchi
• 1 block firm tofu
• 1 potato
• 1 onion
• 1 bunch enoki mushrooms
• 1 assortment assorted mushrooms
• 2 green peppers
• 3 stalks green onions
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp cooking wine
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp chili paste
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 500 ml rice water

Instructions

1. 1Stir-fry the beef

   

   Place beef slices into a hot pan with oil and stir-fry them until they start to brown.

   Tip: Make sure the pan is sufficiently hot before adding the beef to sear it properly.
2. 2Season the beef

   

   Add cooking wine, chili powder, and chili paste directly to the stir-fried beef in the pan.

   Tip: Mix the spices evenly into the meat to build a flavorful base.
3. 3Add potatoes and onions

   

   Tip sliced potatoes and red onions from a plate into the pan containing the seasoned beef.

   Tip: Cut potatoes into even sizes so they cook at a consistent rate.
4. 4Add kimchi

   

   Add a portion of kimchi into the pan with the beef, potatoes, and onions, then stir everything together.

   Tip: Stir-frying the kimchi briefly with the ingredients enhances its flavor.
5. 5Pour in rice water

   

   Pour rice water into the pan over the cooked kimchi and beef mixture to create the soup base.

   Tip: Rice water adds a slightly cloudy body and a nice depth to the soup broth.
6. 6Add assorted mushrooms

   

   Add a variety of mushrooms and enoki mushrooms into the simmering soup using chopsticks.

   Tip: Add delicate mushrooms like enoki towards the end so they retain a tender texture.
7. 7Add sliced green peppers

   

   Add the freshly sliced green peppers into the bubbling soup base, allowing them to infuse their distinct flavor and slight crunch into the broth.

   Tip: Add peppers towards the latter half of cooking so they retain their vibrant green color and crisp texture.
8. 8Add chopped garlic and green onions

   

   Add finely chopped garlic and green onions directly into the bubbling pot to elevate the aromatic depth of the soup.

   Tip: Adding fresh aromatics towards the end preserves their pungent, fresh flavor rather than letting it cook away.
9. 9Add firm tofu slices

   

   Carefully arrange and place slices of firm tofu into the simmering pot, allowing them to soak up the rich, spicy broth.

   Tip: Slice the tofu evenly so each piece absorbs an equal amount of flavor without breaking apart easily.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions