Kimchi Stew or Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개) for a Polar Vortex

A bowl of Kimchi stew or Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개) is the perfect food to face a polar vortex. 

This Korean stew will become your go-to winter comfort food because: 

1. It’s joke-easy to make (under 30 minutes total!) and perfect if you’re new to Korean cooking. 
2. It’s loaded with probiotics and antioxidants to strengthen your gut and immune system.
3. The flavours are an incredible mix of tangy, spicy and bold.

Food writer Vince Mancini says this stew is:

“probably the most classic Korean stew, and almost any Korean mom will make it on any given weeknight.” 

Luckily, Fiesta lives adjacent to Koreatown, a neighbourhood gem with world-class Korean food.  

Here’s a foolproof recipe for Kimchi Stew from The Woks of Life a family of four (Bill & Judy, and daughters Sarah & Kaitlin) who bond over food.    Serve the stew with Wok of Life’s steamed eggs to take this recipe to the next level (thanks for the tip Josh!)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 onion (thinly sliced)
• 3 cloves garlic (sliced)
• 8 ounces pork belly or shoulder (225g, thinly sliced – thin is very important)
• 1 pound kimchi (450g, with juices, chopped)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon Korean chili flakes
• 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
• 3 cups chicken stock (700 ml, can substitute fish or beef stock)
• 8 oz. firm tofu (225g, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices) *
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 scallion (chopped)

*Feel free to substitute with soft tofu if you prefer

Method

1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the onion, garlic, and pork belly, and cook for about 5 minutes, until the pork is lightly browned and the onions start to soften.
2. Add the kimchi and fry for 2 minutes. Then add the salt, sugar, chili flakes, gochujang, and broth. Stir until combined. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
3. Uncover and lay the tofu over the top. Replace the cover and simmer for another 10 minutes. Uncover for the last time and stir in the sesame oil. Garnish with the chopped scallion and serve immediately with steamed rice!

Stay warm and be sure to slurp back heaping bowls of bowl of Kimchi stew. As the polar vortex descends, you don’t need another scarf—you need a stew that fights back. It’s spicy, it’s tangy, and the food you need to warm the cockles of your heart.