This kimchi stew makes the perfect meal for any budget especially when you’re short on time but want something warm and comforting.
What You’ll Need
You can honestly use whatever you have on hand. The only specific ingredients you really need are kimchi and water!
I used SPAM, mushrooms, and rice cakes in this recipe. SPAM and kimchi are an unbeatable pair in my opinion, but things like eggs, tofu, pork, beef, or chicken work just as well. You don’t need to add in the soy sauce and fish sauce if you don’t have them but they really enhance the flavor of the stew.
- Kimchi: The more fermented, the more sour, and the better.
- Kimchi brine from the kimchi
- Water
- Your choice of protein: SPAM, tofu, eggs, etc.
- Your choice of vegetables: onions, mushrooms, green onions, etc
- Rice cakes (optional but incredibly delicious)
- Gochugaru: Korean red pepper flakes (for spice)
- Oil: I used equal parts of sesame and a high smoke point oil (avocado)
- Liquid seasonings: soy sauce or ponzu, fish sauce
10-Minute Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)
This recipe is the shortcut version of kimchi jjigae for anyone short on time & on a budget
Servings: 1 Serving
Ingredients
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp avocado oil *any high heat oil works (canola, vegetable, etc)
- 2 slices SPAM
- ¼ onion sliced
- 2 oz mushrooms
- ½-1 cup sliced rice cakes optional
- 1 cup kimchi chopped
- ⅓ cup kimchi brine
- 1 cup water
- 1-2 tsp gochugaru
- 1-2 tbsp soy sauce or ponzu optional
- 1 tsp fish sauce optional
Instructions
- Cut the SPAM into cubes, slice the onion into thin strips, and chop the kimchi into small pieces.
- Heat a small pot over medium high and add sesame and avocado oil.
- Add SPAM and onion to the pot and cook for about 1-2 minutes until onion is translucent and SPAM is slightly browned.
- Add kimchi to the center of the pot and allow to cook for another 2-3 minutes until kimchi is softened.
- Add kimchi brine, water, and gochugaru. Bring to a boil.
- Once boiling add mushrooms and rice cakes then season with soy sauce (or ponzu) and fish sauce.
- Cook until mushrooms are soft and garnish with green onions!
