Sundubu jjigae — soft tofu stew
Soft tofu, kimchi and ground pork in a warming Korean stew.
Ingredients
How to cook
- Finely chop the kimchi and green onion.
- Heat oil in a pot and stir-fry the green onion and pork over medium heat for 4 minutes. Add gochugaru and garlic and stir for 20 seconds.
- Add kimchi and water and simmer for 8 minutes, then spoon in large pieces of tofu.
- Season with soup soy sauce and simmer for another 4 minutes. Check that the ground pork reaches at least 71°C.
KOREAN KITCHEN · LOCAL OPTIONS
Local ingredient swaps
Use these options when the original ingredient is unavailable. Flavor and texture will change; these swaps have not been tested in our kitchen.
| Korean ingredient | Local option | How to use it | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sundubu | Plain silken tofu | Spoon it into the stew gently and avoid vigorous stirring. | Firm tofu will hold its shape but will not give the same soft texture. |
| Gochugaru | Plain sweet paprika plus an optional pinch of cayenne | Use paprika for color and add cayenne cautiously to the cooked sauce. | It lacks gochugaru’s flavor and texture. Do not use a chili seasoning blend containing cumin or salt. |
| Guk-ganjang (soup soy sauce) | Regular unsweetened soy sauce | Start with half the listed volume, then taste the cooked broth and adjust. | The broth becomes darker; this is a seasoning adjustment, not an identical substitute. |
Ingredients and allergies
Check product labels: soy sauce can contain wheat, kimchi and fish cakes can contain seafood, and miso or tofu contains soy. Ingredient swaps do not automatically make a dish gluten-free, vegetarian or allergy-safe.
Sources and scope
Use these options when the original ingredient is unavailable. Flavor and texture will change; these swaps have not been tested in our kitchen.
Your shopping checklist
Quantities are for the original recipe and its listed servings. Swaps are optional: use the table above to adjust, and do not buy both choices unless needed. Check what you already have.
Look in the produce and refrigerated aisles first; check an Asian grocery or online seller for Korean specialty ingredients. This is a shopping guide, not a live stock or delivery check.
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