5 Stew-licious Korean Stews to try
Stews play a major role in Korean cuisine as it is almost always a part of any Korean meal. And no, these stews do not always just stay on the side – they sometimes even take the starring role. In this article we have compiled a list of 5 mouth-watering Korean stews that must be a part of your Korean BBQ feasts or your Korean dining experience in general:
- Doenjang jjigae (된장찌개) – (Korean Bean Paste) Stew
Think of Japanese miso but with a bolder flavour and stronger odour. This is exactly what Korean Bean Paste Stew is, a comfort yet nutritious food that will help you get through the coldness of the winter. Feel free to use your top choice of vegetables when you make this stew. Common choices are turnips, carrots, zucchini, and pumpkin. Eating this stew during Korean BBQ feasts is also great as it will prepare your body from all the meats that you will consume.
- Kimchi jjigae (김치찌개)– Spicy Kimchi Stew
Those who are not afraid of hotness can indulge merrily in the spicy kimchi stew. Just like the Korean Bean Paste Stew, this comfort food is perfect to consume during the winter season given its spiciness. If you want to give your taste buds that explosion of flavour just before you partake in a Korean BBQ feast, then this stew will definitely fail you.
- Mae un tang (매운탕)– Korean Spicy Fish Stew
If you want a delicious combination of fish, vegetables, and spices into one dish, then this Korean Spicy Fish Stew will be a boon to your palate. The spiciness of this stew is neutralized by the sweet taste of the fish and vegetables, which makes it just perfect for a balanced stew.
- Samgyetang (삼계탕) – Korean Stuffed Chicken Soup with Ginseng
Meat lovers will definitely rejoice once they get a taste of this stew. Sticky rice-stuffed chicken simmered into perfection in garlic, ginseng, and ginger almost makes this stew a meal in itself. It also doesn’t help that this stew is not only delicious; it’s also fragrant. What a way to whet your appetite!
- Bulgogi jjigae (불고기찌개) – Korean Bulgogi Stew
This stew is one of the easiest ones to make especially if you just finished hosting a Korean BBQ feast and you have some leftover marinated bulgogi. Throw in some vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, zucchini or whatever other vegetable you want into the mix and you already have another balanced stew that will surely get your energy going for the next day.
What kinds of Korean stews would you recommend for us to try during the holidays?
