Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Fermented Soybean Stew)

Doenjang, Korean fermented soybean paste, is prized because it does not lose its unique flavor when mixed with others, and it only gets better with ageing, like a fine wine. There are so many different ways to cook with doenjang, but it is most commonly used in soups and stews. Doenjang jjigae is one of the most popular dishes, served at home and in restaurants alike. Most families have their own recipe for this satisfying bowl; I prefer to make it with clams. You should always serve it in an earthenware bowl, ttukbaegi, which enhances the stew’s richness and rustic flavor.

Ingredients

Serves 4-6

  • 10 large dried anchovies, heads and guts removed
  • 1 4-inch piece dried kelp (kombu)
  • 4 cups water
  • 5–6 tablespoons doenjang (soybean paste), preferably Mac Doenjang
  • 2 teaspoons gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
  • 1–2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • 1 small zucchini, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 large potato, peeled and diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, grated
  • 12 little neck clams, cleaned
  • 14 ounces firm tofu, drained, cut into 1-inch-thick slices
  • 10 fresh shiitake mushrooms, cleaned and de-stemmed
  • 1 scallion, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
  • 1 red chili, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
  • Toasted sesame oil, for garnish
  • Black sesame seeds, for garnish

Method

  1. In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the anchovies, kelp, and four cups of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 20 more minutes.
  2. Pass the anchovy stock through a sieve and discard the solids, and return the stock to the pot. Turn the heat up to medium-high and add the doenjang, chili flakes, and chili paste and whisk until dissolved fully. Taste the stock. If you want a stronger doenjang flavor, add some more, and if you want it spicier, add some more gochujang.
  3. Add the zucchini, onion, potatoes, and garlic, and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 7–8 minutes more. Add the clams, cover, and simmer until they are all opened and cooked, about 5–6 minutes. Discard any clams that do not open. Add the tofu, mushrooms, scallions, and chili. Mix gently and simmer for an additional 3–4 minutes.
  4. Drizzle with sesame oil, and garnish with additional sliced scallions and chili. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve with steamed rice.

Browse all recipes

Social media

@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageIt’s here! 📒 My new book, K-Quick has officially landed in the USA 🇺🇸✨ today and you can grab a copy in the 🇬🇧 UK on May 8th. ⁣
⁣
Korean flavors, no fuss - just quick, tasty recipes you’ll want to make again and again.⁣ 
⁣
When I was first asked to create a cookbook with 30-minute recipes, I wasn’t sure it was possible to capture the essence of Korean food in such a short time. But as I got creative with shortcuts, I realized it could be done without sacrificing flavor.⁣
⁣
K-Quick is full of quick recipes, so you can enjoy authentic Korean meals even on the busiest days.⁣ 🍛
⁣
So proud of this one. ⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
@quartobooksuk @whitelionpublishing @hachetteuk 

#NewBook #BookLaunch #CookbookLaunch #JudyJoo #ChefLife #HomeCooking #EasyRecipes #SpringRecipes #FoodLovers #CookbookAuthor #FoodInspo #KitchenGoals #Koreanfood #KoreanCooking #ChefsofInstagram #Author #Fastrecipes #Easyrecipes #kquick #chefsofinstagram #koreancookbook2 days ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imagePremiering tonight, May 6th at 9pm EST on @foodnetwork 📺 Season Finale: “The Culinary Crown Goes to…” ⁣
⁣
Host @conantnyc welcomes the remaining four chefs to the game’s final chapter. In the first battle, the contenders must create an incredible fish dish. After fierce combat, only one chef is selected to challenge the ruler head-to-head, and both chefs must serve a cohesive three-course menu to impress judges @marcuscooks and I. 

🥇At the end of an action-packed final cook, one visionary chef receives the culinary crown, claims the $100,000 prize and earns the bragging rights of being the very first winner in the House of Knives.⁣
 ⁣
⁣
⁣

@chfshirleychung
@claudetteazepeda

 ⁣
#HouseOfKnives #FoodNetwork #StreamOnMax @discoveryplus #JudyJoo #Cheflife #koreanchef #femalechef #chefsofinstagram #foodshow3 days ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageI was heartbroken to hear of Richard Vines’ passing. 💔 

He championed me early in my career with words far kinder than I probably deserved - each line laced with his trademark wit, sharp eye and undeniable charm. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
His prose always sparkled: clever, erudite, and often just cheeky enough to make you laugh while still feeling seen. And those Bloomberg headlines? Pure genius - he had a rare talent for crafting clickbait with class. 

Thanks to his flair, I once found myself the second most searched person in 24 hours - just behind the legendary Warren Buffett! 
I’ll never forget the thrill (and slight panic!) of opening an article and finding myself the subject of his pen. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
His encouragement meant the world to me, and I’ll always be grateful. He was truly one of a kind personality, talent, and will be dearly missed. 🕊️⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
#richardvines #judyjoo #chefs #bloomberg #foodwriter3 days ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageA sneak peek behind-the-scenes of my shoot with @koreafoodsuk for my new book K-Quick.⁣⁣ 📕
⁣⁣
I can’t wait to show you how easy it is to make tasty Korean food at home in no time at all.  Whether you’re craving a tangy radish salad with rice and egg, or the forever popular tteokbokki (sweet and spicy rice cakes), or even my totally addictive fried apple pie mandu (dumplings)– I’ll show you how to whip these dishes together in a flash. 
⁣⁣
There is a lot of organization that goes into planning a shoot. 🥣 Prop styling, 🔪 equipment lists, 🍙ingredients, swaps, and more.  Which plating style do you like the best?⁣⁣ ✨
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣Pre-order link for my new book in my Stories 👆
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
#judyjoo #koreafoods #koreanchef #femalechef #kquick #cheflife #foodshoot #foodlover #koreanfood #koreanstyle #koreanfoodies #shootlife #koreanrecipes #koreancooking #chefsofinstagram #koreanrecipe #cookbook4 days ago via Instagram
Loading