Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Fermented-Bean-Paste Stew) Recipe

This comforting stew is flavored with doenjang, a fermented soybean paste that's funkier than miso.

By
Seoyoung Jung
Seoyoung Jung is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Seoyoung Jung
Seoyoung Jung is a Korean chef who co-created Bburi Kitchen, a blog dedicated to expanding the world's perception of Korean cuisine.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated May. 01, 2019
A bowl of doenjang jiggae full of mushrooms, squash, clams, and more.

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

  • Optional rice-rinsing water adds a mellow, starchy flavor to the stew.
  • Purging the clams guarantees they don't release sand into the stew.
  • Simmering the vegetables first, followed by the doenjang, ensures their flavor fully penetrates the broth.

Doenjang jjigae is one of Korea's most classic comfort foods. It's easy to make and is a meal unto itself, loaded with proteins and vegetables—all you need is some rice and maybe some kimchi on the side. This recipe loads the rich, funky broth up with tofu and clams, while onions, scallions, mushrooms, summer squash, and more make for a hearty array of vegetables. Remember, though, that there are many ways to make this dish, and you can easily vary it by changing the protein (try some fish or beef) or using a different combination of vegetables (potatoes, spinach, cabbage, and Swiss chard are all good).

Recipe Facts

4.5

(2)

Cook: 60 mins
Active: 30 mins
Total: 60 mins
Serves: 4 to 6 servings

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Ingredients

For the Stock:

  • 2 1/2 cups (600ml) rice-rinsing water or water (see note)

  • 10-15 dried anchovies, heads and entrails removed

  • 1 piece dashima (also sold as kombu, which is the Japanese name)

For the Stew:

  • 1/2 pound (250g) littleneck or manila clams

  • Kosher or sea salt

  • 4 dried shiitake mushrooms

  • 1/2 summer squash (about 5 ounces; 150g), such as zucchini, sliced crosswise about 1/8 inch thick

  • 1/2 small onion (1 1/2 ounces; 40g), sliced

  • One 2-inch piece daepah (Korean giant scallion), white part only, or 2 scallions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced

  • 1 1/2 ounces (40g) dallae (Korean wild chives), outer skin of bulb peeled and discarded, chives washed well, then cut into 2-inch lengths (optional)

  • 1 medium clove garlic, minced

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons doenjang (Korean fermented soybean paste), such as Togul

  • 1/2 fresh red chile pepper, thinly sliced

  • 1/2 fresh green chile pepper, thinly sliced

  • Joseon ganjang (Korean "soup" soy sauce), to taste (optional)

  • Hot rice and kimchi, for serving

Directions

  1. For the Stock: In a medium saucepan, combine rice-rinsing water (or water) with anchovies and dashima and bring to a low simmer. Cover the saucepan halfway with a lid and maintain low simmer for 15 minutes. Taste an anchovy; if it still has a noticeable amount of flavor left in it, continue simmering until most of the flavor has been cooked out. Strain, discarding solids.

  2. Meanwhile, For the Stew: Fill a large bowl with cold water and stir in enough salt to make it salty like the sea. Add clams and let stand 30 minutes. Lift clams from water and discard purging water; if there is sand in the bottom of the bowl, rinse it out and repeat this process until clams no longer release sand into the water (usually 2 to 3 purging cycles). Drain clams, discarding any that are gaping open and refuse to close when prodded.

  3. In a small heatproof bowl, cover mushrooms with boiling water and let steep until rehydrated, about 10 minutes. Drain, then slice mushroom caps 1/4 inch thick.

  4. Add stock to a large saucepan or earthenware pot. Bring to a boil. Add mushrooms, summer squash, onion, scallion, and wild chives (if using). Return to a boil and cook until the vegetables are beginning to become tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and doenjang (try dissolving the doenjang through a sieve to prevent lumps from forming).

  5. Simmer for 2 minutes longer, then add clams. Cook until clams begin to pop open. Add red and green chilies and continue cooking until all the clams are open.

  6. Taste the broth, and add joseon ganjang, if desired, to increase the savory, salty flavor. Serve doenjang jjigae hot, with sides of rice and kimchi.

Notes

Ssal-ddeumul (쌀뜨물, or rice rinsed water) is a useful ingredient in Korean cooking, both for its nutrients and the mild, starchy flavors it adds to food. Use the cloudy water that runs off from the second or third time you wash your uncooked rice (not the first, which might have dust and other impurities).

Make-Ahead and Storage

The stew can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, then reheated when ready to serve. Thin with water if it becomes too reduced and salty.

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
71 Calories
1g Fat
7g Carbs
8g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 71
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 17mg 6%
Sodium 836mg 36%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 39mg 193%
Calcium 53mg 4%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 357mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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