Korean Spicy Soft Tofu Stew (Sundubu-Jjigae)

Eating Korean soft tofu stew always brought warmth to my thoughts and soul. So incredibly delicious, super hearty and nourishing! In Toronto, we have a few acclaimed sundubu houses and Korean restaurants serving this popular stew. This soup also illustrates the Korean penchant for combining some beef with seafood to strengthen the broth and provide another texture. So perfect to get your body in gear for the cooler weather to come!

Korean Spicy Soft Tofu Stew (Sundubu-Jjigae) 

Makes 2 servings

10 dried anchovies, head and intestines removed (pull black gut straight out)
1 piece dried kelp

1/2 onion

5 garlic cloves

5 shiitake mushrooms

2 Tbsp. seasoned soy bean paste (deonjang)

a few thin slices of beef NOTE: Freeze meat in plastic wrap for 30 minutes before thinly slicing.

1 to 2 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces

2-5 Tbsp. of hot pepper flakes
1 cup of mixed seafood and 4 shrimps

2 Tbsp. fish sauce

1 pkg. (1 lb. or 454 g) soft or silken tofu, quartered 

1 jalapeno pepper, sliced

1 or 2 eggs
sliced green onions to garnish

Pour five cups of water into a pot and add dried anchovies. Add kelp, onion, garlic and shiitake mushrooms; boil it over high heat for 10 minutes. Lower heat to medium and cook for 15 minutes; then add the bean paste and simmer for five minutes more. Set aside the stock and take out the mushrooms and chop into small pieces.

Heat your earthen ware (or ceramic pot) on the stove and put 2 tsp. of oil. Add the chopped shiitake mushrooms and stir it; then add the beef and green onions and cook while stirring for 1 minute. Add 2 Tbsp. of hot pepper flakes and keep stirring for 1 minute.  *tip: 2 Tbsp.- mild; 3 Tbsp.-medium; 4 Tbsp.- hot ! 

Carefully pour some stock to cover 3/4 of pot as it will be sizzling. Add mixed seafood and shrimps. Add fish sauce. 

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Place tofu in the pot and break them up into a few pieces with a spoon. When it boils, adjust seasoning, add chopped green onions and jalapeno slices. Crack egg(s) and drizzle some sesame oil before serving. Serve with steam rice and a side of kimchi.

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For more Korean food, select Korean as a label from the food categories on the right hand column. Enjoy!!