Jeongol (전골) is an elaborate Korean stew or hot pot that used to be part of the royal court cuisine. Depending on the main ingredient, there are many variations, including dubu (tofu) jeongol, bulgogi jeongol, haemul (seafood) jeongol, mandu (dumplings) jeongol, etc. This recipe is the mushroom version, called beoseot jeongol (버섯전골).
To make a jeongol dish, you basically arrange a variety of (mostly raw) ingredients neatly in a shallow pot, then add the seasoned broth, and cook at the table. It’s highly versatile and easy to put together!
Depending on the size of your pot, you can cook in two batches, or you can add more ingredients as you cook, or take some out to eat if you’re cooking at the table.
The mushrooms
Beoseot (mushroom) jeongol is made with an assortment of different types of mushrooms as the main ingredient. Feel free to use any combination of mushrooms. Some of the common types are shiitake, oyster, button or white, king, and enoki. Sometimes, I see beautifully yellow oyster mushrooms at Korean markets. I used them here.
This hearty, steaming one-pot meal is a great way to enjoy healthy mushrooms with strong earthy flavors. They are loaded with fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals and a good source of antioxidants.
This is one of those dishes you really don’t need exact amounts for ingredients, so the recipe serves only as a guideline.
The broth
Beoseot jeongol is commonly made with a beef broth or anchovy broth. Use a vegetable broth to make a vegetarian/vegan hot pot. Good commercially prepared broth/stock is always a convenient option as well.
You can pre-season the broth before adding to the pot, or add the seasonings directly to the pot when ready to cook.
Ingredients
Vegetable broth (see note 1)
- 1/2 small onion cut into big chunks
- 3 ounces Korean radish cut into big chunks
- 1 piece dried kelp (about 3 inch square), dashima
- a few mushroom stems
- 1 tablespoon soup soy sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables:
- 12 ounces assorted mushrooms (button, shiitake, oyster, crimini, enoki, king, etc.)
- 2 large napa cabbage leaves (or green cabbage or bok choy)
- 1/2 medium onion sliced into 1/2-inch thickness
- 1 small carrot thinly sliced
- 2 scallions cut into small pieces
- 2 ounces ssukgat (쑥갓, crown daisies), watercress, or minari (미나리, water dropwort)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
Other ingredient options (see note 2)
- 1/2 package tofu (about 8 ounces)
- 2 ounces dangmyeon (당면, sweet potato starch noodles)
Instructions
- Add 5 cups water and the broth vegetables to a medium size pot. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 15 minutes. Discard the vegetables. Season with the soup soy sauce, salt and pepper to taste. Yields 3 to 4 cups.
- Cut the mushrooms into bite size slices (about 1/4-inch thick). Mushrooms cook down quite a bit, so don’t cut too thin. If using oyster mushrooms, split lengthwise into bite size pieces.
- Neatly arrange the mushrooms and scallions in clusters along with other vegetables, if using, in a shallow pot. Add 2 cups of broth. Boil over medium to medium high heat until mushrooms are softened, 4 – 5 minutes. You can add more broth and any remaining ingredients while eating if you’re cooking at the table.
Notes
- See more on vegetable broth. You can also use: Anchovy broth or Beef broth.
- You can also add meat or seafood of your choice.
This recipe was originally posted in December 2012. I’ve updated it here with new photos, more information, and minor changes to the recipe.
