Classic Korean Doenjang Jjigae (Soybean Paste Stew)

A comforting, umami-rich Korean soybean paste stew packed with tender beef, silken tofu, and fresh vegetables, all simmered to perfection in a traditional clay pot.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Korean soybean paste (doenjang)
• 400 ml clear water
• 1/2 potato
• 2 shiitake mushrooms
• 1/4 onion
• 1/2 block tofu
• 1/4 zucchini
• 1/2 bunch enoki mushrooms
• 100 g sliced beef rolls
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp Korean chili powder (gochugaru)
• 1/2 tsp beef powder (dashida)
• to taste green and red chili peppers

Instructions

1. 1Add soybean paste

   

   Add one spoonful of soybean paste into a black ceramic pot. This forms the rich base flavor for the soybean soup.

   Tip: Ensure the ceramic pot is clean and dry before adding the paste.
2. 2Pour water into the pot

   

   Pour an appropriate amount of clear water from a measuring cup directly into the pot containing the soybean paste.

   Tip: Pour the water slowly to avoid splashing the paste onto the sides of the pot.
3. 3Dissolve the soybean paste

   

   Use chopsticks to stir and thoroughly dissolve the soybean paste into the water, creating a uniform broth base.

   Tip: Stir continuously until no lumps of paste remain in the liquid.
4. 4Add potatoes and shiitake mushrooms

   

   Place the sliced potatoes and shiitake mushrooms into the pot containing the dissolved soybean paste broth.

   Tip: Add ingredients that take longer to cook first.
5. 5Add diced onions

   

   Add diced onions into the pot along with the potatoes and shiitake mushrooms.

6. 6Add tofu, zucchini, and enoki mushrooms

   

   After simmering the initial hard ingredients, add pieces of tofu, zucchini slices, and enoki mushrooms to the soup.

   Tip: Add these ingredients that cook easily after the harder components have cooked for a while.
7. 7Add sliced beef rolls

   

   Place sliced beef rolls on top of the vegetables and ingredients in the pot.

8. 8Season with garlic, chili powder, and beef powder

   

   Add minced garlic, chili powder, and beef powder into the boiling pot to enhance the flavor of the soup.

9. 9Add green and red chili peppers

   

   Add sliced green and red chili peppers into the simmering stew, then simmer on low heat for 3 minutes.

   Tip: Simmer on low heat to let all the flavors blend together completely.
10. 10Simmer and stir the stew

    

    Stir the stew gently on low heat to allow the ingredients to absorb the rich flavors. Simmering slowly ensures the broth thickens harmoniously and the beef becomes tender.

    Tip: Keeping the heat low prevents the bottom from burning and releases the full depth of the soybean paste.

Storing & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions