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    Home » Stew

    Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)

    Published 01/19/2015. Updated 03/22/2021

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This hearty and warming stew is made with soondubu (extra soft tofu), thinly sliced meat, and kimchi. It takes less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight meal!
    DSC 06281 e1422146518897 - Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)

    This soondubu jjigae recipe is made with ripe kimchi and thinly sliced meat. Try making it at home. You would be pleasantly surprised to find out how quick and easy this hearty, flavorful stew is. 

    You might also like Haemul soondubu jjigae (seafood soft tofu stew) and Deulkkae soondubu jjigae (soft tofu stew with perilla seeds) which is mild and vegan.

    Do you have a Korean tofu house near you that specializes in soondubu jjigae (순두부 찌개)? Restaurants usually offer several variations (seafood, meat, vegetables, combination, etc.) on the menu. Which is your favorite variation?

    The tofu

    Soondubu (also spelled sundubu) is tofu that’s not pressed, so it has high water content and an extra silky, velvety texture. I always keep a package or two in the fridge, and whip up this bubbling pot of flavorful stew when I need to create something warm and comforting quickly.

    DSC 0270 e1539645107415 - Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)

    Other ingredients

    I like to use anchovy broth as a stew base, but water is totally fine. You can also use any other broth of your choice.

    This recipe combines kimchi and pork, a classic match. Feel free to use beef, chicken, or seafood and switch out the pork. For best results, always use fully fermented kimchi to cook with.

    Mushrooms are a good substitute if you don’t like meat. If you start with vegan kimchi, you can even make the stew vegan.

    DSC 0365 e1539715368162 - Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)

    If you have some salted shrimp (saewujeot, 새우젓) leftover from making kimchi, use a little to season the stew instead of using salt. It really enhances the flavor of the stew. My secret ingredient! 

    Soondubu jjigae is often served with a raw egg to be cracked in to the boiling hot stew at the table. The egg adds richness to the stew, but you don’t need to add an egg if you don’t want to. It’s a matter of preference.

    Watch how to make it

    More soondubu jjigae recipes:

    Haemul soondubu jjigae (seafood soft tofu stew)
    Deulkkae soondubu jjigae (soft tofu stew with perilla seeds) – vegan

    DSC 0607 e1421723811218 - Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)

    For more Korean cooking inspirations, follow along on YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

    DSC 0607 350x350 - Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)

    Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae

    4.43 from 382 votes
    Main Course
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 2
    Print Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 1 package 12 ounces sundubu (extra soft/silken tofu)
    • ⅓ cup thinly sliced kimchi
    • 3 ounces pork or beef
    • 1 to 3 teaspoons red chili pepper flakes gochugaru- add more for a spicier stew
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil use a little more if using more gochugaru
    • 1 cup water or anchovy broth See note
    • 2 to 3 tablespoons juice from kimchi
    • 1/2 teaspoon saewujeot (salted shrimp) or salt to taste
    • pinch black pepper
    • 1 scallion, finely chopped
    • 1 egg - optional

    Instructions

    • Cut the meat and kimchi into small thin strips. Add the kimchi, meat, red chili pepper flakes, garlic and sesame oil to a small pot, and place it over medium heat.
      DSC 0562 1024x685 - Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)
    • Stir-fry until the meat is almost cooked, 3 - 4 minutes.
      DSC 0566 1024x685 - Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)
    • Pour in water (or broth) and the juice from the kimchi. Bring it to a boil, and continue to boil for 3 - 4 minutes. Skim off the scum.
      DSC 0568 1024x685 - Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)
    • Add the soft tofu in big chunks. Stir in the salted shrimp or salt to taste (start with 1/4 teaspoon) and black pepper. Cook for 4 -5 minutes. Add the chopped scallion just before removing the pot from the heat. If desired, crack an egg into the stew to serve while it’s still boiling hot.
      DSC 0574 1024x685 - Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)

    Video

    Notes

    Water is fine for this stew, but use anchovy broth for an extra layer of flavor. 
    Tried this recipe?Mention @koreanbapsang or tag #koreanbapsang!

    You may also like:

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    « Baek Kimchi (White Kimchi)
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    Hi! I'm Hyosun, and I am a Korean-American mom of two wonderful grown-up children. Here, you will learn how to cook Korean dishes the way we Koreans traditionally eat at home. Read More...

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