Mom's Golden Recipe for Tofu Stew (dubu-jjigae (두부찌개)): A Su
This is Mom's tofu stew recipe, which achieves a deep flavor by gently simmering the seasoning sauce without frying the tofu. It's a super easy 'rice thief' dish that can be completed in just 15 minutes with simple ingredients.
📝 Editor's Notes
Mom's Tofu Stew (dubu-jjigae (두부찌개)), which achieves a deep flavor without frying the tofu, is a super simple 'rice thief' dish that can be completed in just 15 minutes.
Large-cut tofu and a can of tuna add umami, and the gochugaru (고춧가루) seasoning, gently simmered, creates an exquisite broth that is both refreshing and spicy.
It will capture the taste buds of the whole family when mixed with warm rice for a busy weekday dinner or weekend lunch.
Especially when you're craving a spicy broth, it's a very practical menu that can be a satisfying meal without any other side dishes.
🛒 Ingredient Tips
For tofu, choose a variety that is not too firm, such as one labeled for pan-frying or stew (buchi-yong (부침용) or jjigae-yong (찌개용)), as the seasoning will soak in better.
Fresh tofu has a distinct savory aroma, a smooth surface, and good elasticity.
For canned tuna, as it's a canned product, there's not much to worry about, but always check the expiration date.
Choose onions with shiny, firm, and unblemished skins, and remember that fully coring them before chopping makes cooking easier and eating more convenient.
For green onions, it's best to choose ones with vibrant green leaves and clear white stems, indicating freshness.
🔄 Substitution Guide
Instead of canned tuna, you can use pork shoulder or neck meat to make an even richer and heartier meat and tofu stew.
If using pork, marinating it in the seasoning sauce beforehand or lightly stir-frying it in sesame oil can eliminate gamey odors and enhance the flavor.
Adding Spam or ham will create a savory and familiar taste that even children will enjoy.
If cheongyang chili peppers (청양고추) or red chili peppers feel too spicy, you can use shishito peppers or regular chili peppers, or omit them entirely.
As an alternative to dashida (다시다), using anchovy broth or kelp broth can provide a cleaner and more natural umami flavor.
🥘 Ingredients
👨🍳 Cooking Points
The most important point for this tofu stew is heat control.
First, boil over high heat to allow the gochugaru (고춧가루) seasoning to dissolve well.
Once it starts boiling, reduce to medium heat.
Then, when the gochugaru (고춧가루) has sufficiently spread throughout the broth, reduce to low heat to simmer gently.
Adjusting the heat in these stages is crucial for preventing the seasoning from burning and for developing a deep flavor.
The second point is the timing of adding the canned tuna; after the gochugaru (고춧가루) has mostly dissolved, add the canned tuna, including its oil, and gently mix it into the broth.
This allows the unique umami of the tuna to naturally infuse into the broth, creating an even deeper flavor.
Finally, remember that using tofu directly without frying makes this stew clean and simple to prepare.
👨🍳 Directions
Cut 1/2 block of tofu into large, bite-sized pieces. Core 1 onion and chop it roughly. Finely chop 1 stalk of green onion, 2 cheongyang chili peppers, and 1 red chili pepper to finish preparing the ingredients.
In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp minced garlic, 2 pinches black pepper, 1 tbsp dashida (다시다), 1 tbsp sugar, and 5 tbsp gochugaru (고춧가루). Mix well to make the seasoning sauce.
Spread half of the chopped onion on the bottom of a pot. Place the sliced tofu on top of the onion. Sprinkle the remaining onion and some green onion over the tofu, then evenly spread the prepared seasoning sauce over the tofu.
Pour water into the bowl where the seasoning sauce was made to rinse off any remaining sauce, then pour it into the pot along the side until the ingredients are about two-thirds submerged. Close the lid and start boiling over high heat.
Once it starts boiling and steam rises, reduce the heat to medium. When the gochugaru (고춧가루) starts to spread, reduce the heat to low. Add 1 can of tuna (including the oil) and gently mix it into the broth.
Add all of the remaining green onion, cheongyang chili peppers, and red chili pepper on top. Close the lid and simmer for another 3 minutes over low heat.
💡 Tips
Even without frying the tofu beforehand, the seasoning soaks in well, allowing you to make a clean and simple tofu stew.
If you completely core the onion before chopping, it won't stick together, making it easier to eat.
It's important to start boiling over high heat to dissolve the gochugaru (고춧가루), then reduce to medium once it starts boiling, and finally to low heat when the gochugaru (고춧가루) has spread, to simmer without burning.
Besides tuna, you can add other favorite ingredients such as pork or Spam to enjoy an even richer flavor.
📦 Storage & Reuse
The finished tofu stew can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 2-3 days.
It's best to consume it as soon as possible, as prolonged storage can make the tofu firm and alter the flavor of the broth.
When reheating leftover stew, warm it gently over medium-low heat.
Be careful not to boil it for too long, as the tofu may crumble.
If the broth has reduced too much, you can add a little more water or broth when reheating.
Leftover tofu stew can be enjoyed warm for breakfast the next day, or even stir-fried with rice to make a unique tofu stew fried rice.
🥢 Who This Is For
This stew is perfect for days when you need a spicy and warm broth, especially on rainy days or chilly evenings.
It is highly recommended for those who love spicy flavors or want a simple yet hearty meal.
It's delicious simply mixed with freshly cooked white rice, and pairing it with mild or savory side dishes like rolled omelets (gye-ran-mari (계란말이)) or kimchi pancakes (kimchi-jeon (김치전)) can create an even richer dining experience.
It's also an easy-going menu for the whole family to enjoy together.
🔥 Nutrition Info
One serving of this Mom's Tofu Stew (dubu-jjigae (두부찌개)) is estimated to be approximately 350-400 kcal.
It will likely contain about 25-30g of protein, 15-20g of fat, and 20-25g of carbohydrates.
Tofu is known to be rich in plant-based protein and isoflavones, making it especially beneficial for women's health.
Tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help support cardiovascular health.
Chili peppers contain vitamin C and capsaicin, contributing to immune system enhancement and metabolism boosting.
Onions and green onions provide dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, helping to maintain overall nutritional balance.
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