
Hearty Korean fermented soybean paste stew
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2
2 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Hearty Korean fermented soybean paste stew
A robust, deeply savory stew built on fermented soybean paste with tofu, zucchini, and anchovy broth. Doenjang jjigae is everyday Korean soul food, as essential as kimchi on the dinner table.
10m
Prep Time
20m
Cook Time
30m
Total Time
2
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
(Updated )
If kimchi jjigae is fiery and bold, doenjang jjigae is its earthy, comforting counterpart. The fermented soybean paste creates a broth with remarkable umami depth that only improves as it simmers.
Bring anchovy-kelp broth to a boil in a stone pot or saucepan.
Dissolve doenjang paste into the broth, stirring to break up lumps.
Add potatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Add tofu and zucchini.
Simmer for 10 minutes until potatoes are tender and flavors meld.
Add sliced green chili, a minced garlic clove, and simmer 2 more minutes. Serve bubbling hot with rice.
Serve over steamed jasmine or sticky rice
Pair with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi
Add a drizzle of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor
Milder but similar fermented soybean flavor
Vegan alternative with good umami
Test Kitchen Pick
Miso
Helpful Pantry Staple
Miso gives this recipe layered saltiness and a little sweetness that is hard to replace cleanly with a generic substitute.
This is the kind of pantry staple that changes depth more than volume.
A tub of miso tends to earn its keep quickly once it is in the fridge.
Shop miso for this recipeUse a Korean stone pot (ttukbaegi) if possible; it keeps the stew bubbling at the table.
Do not boil too vigorously or the doenjang flavor becomes harsh.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Flavors deepen overnight.
Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Per serving (0mg) · 2 servings
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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Korean
Korean
Korean
Japanese

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Japanese