Korean Soft Tofu Stew (Sundubu Jjigae)

User Reviews

5.0

9 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    3 mins

  • Cook Time

    3 mins

  • Total Time

    25 mins

  • Servings

    2

  • Calories

    292 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course, Soup

  • Cuisine

    Asian, Korean

Korean Soft Tofu Stew (Sundubu Jjigae)

Sundubu jjigae is a popular spicy soft tofu stew in Korean cuisine. This comforting stew is made by cooking soft tofu, with more ingredients, in a flavorful broth spiced with gochugaru. It's a quick and easy dish perfect for cold winter days.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 10 ounces zucchini* (about 1 large or 3 baby ones)
  • fine sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • ½ onion , thinly sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves , minced
  • ½ teaspoon grated ginger root
  • 1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) , or another red chilli flake
  • cups stock* , use chicken, vegetable, or dashi
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce , or more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon mirin , or a tiny pinch of sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 ounce pack soft silken tofu
  • ounces enoki mushrooms

To finish (optional)

  • 2 eggs , whole or just yolks
  • 1 green finger chilli , chopped
  • 1 green onion (scallion) , thinly sliced
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Instructions

  1. Cut the zucchini (courgette) into bite-sized chunks – I like to quarter a large zucchini or half a baby zucchini before slicing it into smaller pieces. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and set aside.
  2. Place a heavy-based saucepan on medium heat. Add the oil, sliced onion, minced garlic and grated ginger, with a good pinch of salt. Sauté gently, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened a little and it starts to smell fragrant – about 5 minutes. Add the gochugaru and stir constantly for a minute without letting it burn – the flakes will bloom and turn everything a beautiful bright red, but they burn easily.
  3. Pour in the stock, then stir in the soy sauce, mirin, and white pepper. Add the zucchini and soft tofu. Roughly break the tofu up with a spoon and increase the heat to bring to a boil. Once it starts to bubble, reduce the heat to medium and cook until the courgettes are tender – about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt – I add about 1 teaspoon of salt.
  4. Scatter with the enoki mushrooms and gently crack in the eggs, if using. Sprinkle with the green chilli, if using (taste the stew for spiciness before adding the chilli). Cover with a lid to steam the eggs for 2 minutes, or until cooked to your liking.
  5. Divide the Korean spicy soft tofu stew between bowls, carefully scooping each egg into a bowl. Sprinkle with green onions and serve hot, with steamed rice.

Notes

  •  
  • This recipe draws inspiration from Su Scott's Soondubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew recipe) in her book Rice Table. My version is vegetarian and vegan-friendly, but still utterly delicious.
  • Stock: The traditional choice would be to use Korean anchovy stock, but dashi also works well. Though I most often make this with homemade vegetable or chicken stock, you can also use water. If you use a stock you love, you'll love the stew too!
  • Zucchini: I prefer to use young zucchini (baby courgettes or baby marrows), but a large zucchini works fine too.
  • Vegan Sundubu: Omit the optional eggs and use vegan dashi or vegetable stock.
  • Meat: If you want to, you can stir-fry 3½ ounces (100 grams) of ground pork in the oil until golden brown (about 5 minutes) before you add the onion, garlic, and ginger.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 292kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 11g (22%) Fat 19g (29%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Polyunsaturated Fat 8g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 164mg (55%) Sodium 1492mg (62%) Potassium 784mg (22%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 10g (20%) Vitamin A 2143IU (43%) Vitamin C 33mg (37%) Calcium 82mg (8%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 292 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 292kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 11g 22%
Fat 19g 29%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8g 47%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 164mg 55%
Sodium 1492mg 62%
Potassium 784mg 17%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 10g 20%
Vitamin A 2143IU 43%
Vitamin C 33mg 37%
Calcium 82mg 8%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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5.0

9 reviews
Excellent

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