ReelsMeals
RecipesDishes
Sign inStart cooking
  1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Soup
  4. Kimchi Jjigae (Korean Kimchi Stew)

Kimchi Jjigae (Korean Kimchi Stew)

Recipe by Joe Chu on InstagramAdded 1 August 2026.
  • 30 min
  • Serves 2
  • 15 ingredients

10 minutes to prep, 20 to cook. A hearty Korean kimchi stew that combines smoky beef, tangy kimchi, and spicy gochujang for a comforting, protein‑rich bowl. The broth is enriched with tofu and a hint of brown sugar for subtle sweetness, making it a low‑calorie yet satisfying dinner.

Free. No account needed.

Kimchi Jjigae (Korean Kimchi Stew) by Joe Chu, a frame from the Instagram video

Ingredients

2 servingsMetric

Amounts as Joe Chu gives them. Metric converts supported weights and liquids, and oven temperatures; spoon measures and counts stay as written.

Method

  1. 1

    Slice the firm tofu into 1‑inch rectangles and set aside.

  2. 2

    Thinly dice the green onions and thinly slice the yellow onion; set both aside separately.

  3. 3

    Clean the shiitake mushrooms and slice them into thin strips.

  4. 4

    Prepare the kimchi by cutting it into bite‑size pieces, reserving any liquid that comes out.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The kimchi pieces are bite-sized and its liquid is retained. Keep the released liquid for the stew.

  5. 5

    Heat a small pot over medium‑high heat and give a light spray of oil to coat the bottom.

  6. 6

    Add the sliced yellow onion and minced garlic to the pot; sauté for 2‑3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The onion turns translucent and the garlic smells fragrant. Stir so the garlic does not catch on the pot.

  7. 7

    Introduce the thinly sliced beef brisket, stirring quickly; cook for about 2 minutes until the beef starts to brown.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The brisket starts to brown at the edges. Stir quickly to separate the slices.

  8. 8

    Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms and kimchi (including its juice) to the pot; stir and cook for another 2 minutes so the flavors meld.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The kimchi and mushrooms are hot and fragrant. Stir to coat them with the aromatics.

  9. 9

    Pour in the chicken bone broth, the reserved kimchi juice, brown sugar, gochugaru, gochujang, and soy sauce. Stir well to dissolve the pastes.

  10. 10

    Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for 8‑10 minutes, allowing the broth to thicken and the beef to become tender.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The broth thickens slightly and the beef becomes tender. Lower the heat once the mixture boils.

  11. 11

    Gently add the tofu rectangles and the diced green onions to the pot; simmer for an additional 2 minutes to warm the tofu without breaking it apart.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The tofu is warmed through and remains intact. Fold it in gently to keep the pieces whole.

  12. 12

    Taste the stew and season with salt or a splash more kimchi juice if additional saltiness or tang is desired.

  13. 13

    Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the stew rest for 2 minutes so the flavors fully integrate.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The covered stew has settled and smells cohesive. Keep the lid on while it rests.

  14. 14

    Serve the kimchi jjigae hot, directly from the pot or ladled into bowls, optionally garnished with extra green onion slices.

Tips while you cook

Sauté aromatics first
Cook the sliced onion and minced garlic for 2‑3 minutes until the onion turns translucent before adding other ingredients.
Brown the beef briefly
Stir the sliced beef brisket and cook for about 2 minutes until it starts to brown.
Let the stew rest
After turning off the heat, cover the pot and let the stew rest for 2 minutes.

Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.

Made it?

Tap a star to rate it. Ratings help other cooks decide what to make next.

Rate this recipe

Watch Joe Chu make it. The video loads from Instagram when you tap.

Joe Chu made this.

The recipe comes from Joe Chu’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.

Are you Joe Chu and want this changed? Email [email protected].

Share or print it

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Email
Credit or embed it on your own site

More soup recipes

  • Creamy Cauliflower Turmeric Soup

    Jasmin von Wartburg · 1 hr 5 min

  • Roasted Tomato Soup

    Alfie Steiner · 45 min

  • Celery and White Bean Cream

    Jasmin von Wartburg · 30 min

  • Guizhou Yangroufen (Spicy Goat Rice Noodle Soup)

    Chinese Cooking Demystified · 6 hr

    • Soup
    • Korean
    • Low calorie
    • Healthy
    • Recipe scaler
    • Cups to grams converter

    Saved hundreds of reels like this one? ReelsMeals brings your whole Instagram saved folder into one cookbook. See how

ReelsMeals is a cookbook for the recipes you save from videos, websites and paper cards. Each recipe links back to the person who made it.

Recipes

  • Browse recipes
  • Dishes compared
  • Cooking techniques
  • Creators
  • Tags
  • Supported sites
  • Recipe index data

Save from

  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • YouTube Shorts
  • Paper recipes

Free tools

  • Oven temperature converter
  • Cups to grams converter
  • Recipe scaler
  • Air fryer converter
  • Baking pan converter
  • Ingredient substitutes
  • All tools

Compare

  • vs Paprika
  • vs Pestle
  • vs Mela
  • vs ReciMe
  • vs Crouton
  • vs AnyList
  • All comparisons

ReelsMeals

  • For AI assistants
  • Blog
  • About
  • Support
  • Follow Mike
Back to top

[email protected]

Privacy · Terms · AI disclosureRecipes stay credited to their creators© 2026 ReelsMeals, a Groceri company

ReelsMeals