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Close-up of a steaming bowl of Asian soup with side dishes, perfect for warmth and comfort food lovers.

Spicy pork bone and potato stew

Gamjatang

Gamjatang

1h 45mMedium

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

1 hr 30 min

Total Time

1 hr 45 min

Servings

4

4 servings

Difficulty

Medium

Cost

Budget

$

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Gamjatang

Spicy pork bone and potato stew

A hearty, fiery stew built on pork neck bones simmered until the meat falls off the bone, loaded with potatoes, perilla leaves, and a bold gochugaru broth. Gamjatang is the ultimate Korean hangover cure.

15m

Prep Time

90m

Cook Time

105m

Total Time

4

Servings

Medium

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Korean CuisineMain CourseSoup & StewGluten-FreeDairy-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

November 2, 2024(Updated April 13, 2026)

Gamjatang is the stew Koreans turn to after a long night out. The rich pork bone broth, spicy heat, and tender falling-off-the-bone meat restore body and soul like nothing else can.

Why This Recipe Works

Simmering the pork bones for an extended time extracts collagen for a rich, body-filling broth. Adding perilla leaves at the end provides a unique herbal freshness that lifts the heavy stew.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs pork neck bones
  • 3 potatoes, quartered
  • 3 tbsp gochugaru
  • 1 tbsp doenjang paste
  • 6 perilla leaves (kkaennip)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. 1

    Soak pork neck bones in cold water for 1 hour. Blanch in boiling water for 10 minutes, drain, and scrub clean.

  2. 2

    Place bones in a pot with 8 cups water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 1 hour.

  3. 3

    Mix gochugaru, doenjang, minced garlic, 1 tbsp gochujang, and 1 tbsp soy sauce into a paste.

  4. 4

    Add paste and quartered potatoes to the broth. Simmer for 20 more minutes until potatoes are tender.

  5. 5

    Add perilla leaves and simmer 2 minutes. Serve bubbling hot with steamed rice.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • 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

Substitutions

Pork neck bonesPork spare ribs

Less collagen but still flavorful and meaty

Perilla leavesFresh basil + mint

An approximation of the distinctive herbal note

FlavorPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Gochugaru

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the gochugaru matters

This is not just generic chile heat. Gochugaru has a fruitier, cleaner flavor that makes the finished dish taste closer to what it is supposed to be.

The right chile flakes shift the flavor more than another garnish would.

  • Cleaner heat than standard chile flakes
  • Useful across Korean soups, sauces, and kimchi-style dishes

If you cook Korean food even occasionally, this pantry staple pulls a lot of weight.

Shop gochugaru for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Scrub the bones clean after blanching for the clearest, cleanest-tasting broth.

  • Perilla leaves are essential; their unique minty-basil flavor defines the dish.

Storage

Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Remove fat solidified on top before reheating.

Reheating

Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add fresh perilla leaves.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (85mg) · 4 servings

Calories420
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein30g
Carbohydrates22g
Fat24g
Fiber720mg
Sugar3g
Sodium4g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are perilla leaves?
Korean perilla (kkaennip) has a unique flavor between basil and mint. Available at Korean markets.
Can I use a different cut?
Pork spare ribs or pork shoulder work, but neck bones provide the best broth richness.

Explore More

More Korean RecipesMore Main CourseMore Soup & StewGluten-Free RecipesDairy-Free RecipesStovetop Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

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.

View all recipes →

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