Spicy Korean kimchi stew with tofu and scallions

Photo: rawkkim · Unsplash License (Unsplash)

KVIBE IDOLS › Food guides › Korean dishes explained › 김치찌개 (kimchi jjigae)

🍜 Korean dishes explained

What Is Kimchi Jjigae?김치찌개 · kimchi jjigae

What is it?

A spicy, sour stew of well-fermented kimchi with pork (or tuna) and tofu, served boiling in a pot with a bowl of rice. It is the classic finish at BBQ restaurants and a staple lunch everywhere.

How to eat it

  1. Spoon the stew over rice or alternate bites.
  2. Pots are often shared from the middle of the table.
  3. It arrives boiling — wait a moment.
Typical price
₩9,000–12,000
How to order · Say it in Korean김치찌개 하나랑 공깃밥 하나 주세요.Kimchi jjigae hanarang gonggitbap hana juseyo.One kimchi stew and a bowl of rice, please.

Where to try it

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FAQ

Is kimchi jjigae vegetarian?

Usually not: it contains pork or tuna, and kimchi often contains fish sauce. Vegan restaurants make plant-based versions.

Kimchi jjigae vs sundubu jjigae?

Kimchi jjigae is built on sour kimchi; sundubu jjigae on silky soft tofu with a chili-oil broth.

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