Fast-fermented Soybean Paste JjiGae

Today, I will introduce a very traditional and popular Korean soup made with fermented soybean paste. Many of you already may know about Korean soybean paste soup. If you are into it, you will love this healthier version. The only one downside for this soup is that it has a strong  smell that might make you hesitant to try it. However, that smell is deceiving. It has great flavor. 🙂 With all the vegetables and tofu, you can enjoy a good combination of flavor and texture. Try it someday. ^^

Yield: 4 Servings

Short Korean Lesson

• BeonGae (번개) = Lighting
• JangMa (장마) = The Rainy Season

Video Instructions

Main Ingredients

• 3.5 oz Fermented Soybean Paste (100g)
• 1 Cup Korean Radish
• 1 Cup Tofu
• ½ Cup Old Kimchi
• ½ Cup Onion
• ½ Cup Green Onion
• ⅓ Cup Zucchini
• 1 Tbsp Red Hot Pepper
• 1 tsp Garlic, Minced
• ½ tsp Hot Pepper Powder

Broth Ingredients

• 4 Cups Water
• 6 Pieces Dried Kelp (1×2 inch)
• 8 Pieces Dried Anchovies

Directions

To make the broth, add all the ingredients for the broth in a pot: 4 cups of water, 6 pieces of dried kelp, and 8 pieces of dried anchovies. Once it starts to boil, cook it covered for about 5 minutes on medium high.

Meanwhile, cut the vegetable ingredients. Cut 1 cup worth of a Korean radish into 1 x 1.5 x ¼ inch pieces. Cut 1 Cup worth of tofu with a similar size as the radish. Slice ⅓ cup worth of a zucchini into ¼ inch slices. Then quarter the slices. Cut ½ cup worth of an onion and ½ cup worth of green onion into ¼ inch slices. Cut 1 Tbsp worth of red hot pepper thinly.

Lastly, cut ½ cup worth of some old Kimchi into bite sized pieces.

5 minutes later, discard the kelp and cook it covered for 5 more minutes with the anchovies. And then another 5 minutes later, discard the anchovies from the broth.

Add the fermented soybean paste into the broth and break it with a spoon to get it mixed into the broth.

Once the soup starts to boil, add the kimchi and radish. Cook it for about 5 minutes on medium-high.

Skim off the foam on the surface of the soup.

Add the zucchini, onion, and tofu.

Then, Add ½ tsp of hot pepper powder and 1 tsp of minced garlic. Mix everything gently and cook it for another 5 minutes.

When all the ingredients are done cooking, add the green onion and red hot pepper. Cook for 1 minute and then turn off the heat.

Yes, it was a little stinky, but look at this – this looks very delicious. It is mouth watering. 😉

 

You can eat this delicious soup with rice and nothing else, or maybe with some kimchi if you need something else. My Sons thought it was stinky and didn’t want to even try it, but they tried little tiny bit with their mom’s temptation. You know what? They actually liked it. ^^ Anyway, it is tasty and healthy for you. Enjoy!