Spicy Dongtae Jjigae (Pollock Stew)
A spicy Korean stew made by simmering frozen pollack, Korean radish, and soybean sprouts in anchovy broth.
Translated from Korean by AI and not yet checked by a native speaker. Amounts and numbers are taken directly from the original recipe. Read the Korean original →
This refreshing, rich stew features seasonal frozen pollack simmered with Korean radish and soybean sprouts. Thoroughly removing the black inner lining and blood clots along the spine is key to eliminating any fishy smell. Spicy and revitalizing, it makes a satisfying meal or a great hangover cure.
- Servings
- 3–4 servings
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Spiciness
- Spicy
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Frozen pollack1 whole (large)
- King prawns5
- Korean radish (mu)200 g
- Tofu1/2 block
- Soybean sprouts1 handful, 100 g
- Ssukgat (crown daisy)1/2 handful
- Large green onion (daepa)1/2 stalk
- Cheongyang chili pepper (hot green chili)2
- Red chili pepper1
- Enoki mushrooms1/2 pack
- Anchovy broth6 cups
Seasoning
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)2 tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean red chili paste)1 tbsp
- Soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang)1 tbsp
- Mirin (cooking rice wine)1 tbsp
- Minced garlic1 tbsp
- Minced ginger1 tsp
- Ground black peppera little
- Salta little (if needed)
- Cut off all the fins from the body and scrape off the scales thoroughly with a knife. Cut the fish into manageable pieces and rinse them under running water, using your fingers to wipe away any black lining or blood clots clinging to the spine. Adding the head as well gives great flavor.
- Use 1 large frozen pollack or 2 small ones.
- The king prawns are optional, and pollock roe or milt make great additions if you have them. You can also add other vegetables such as onion, zucchini, different mushrooms, or perilla leaves.
Steps
I used 1 large frozen pollack. If yours are small, prepare 2 whole fish.
Cut off all the fins from the body and scrape off the scales thoroughly with a knife.
Cut into manageable pieces and rinse under running water,
using your fingers to wipe away and remove any black lining or blood clots clinging along the spine.
It is great to include the head as well.
The secret to a clean broth without any fishy smell lies in meticulous prep work.
I happened to have king prawns in the freezer, so I decided to add them. (You can skip them.)
Pollock roe or milt would be even better.
For the vegetables that will make the stew broth even more refreshing and aromatic,
prepare soybean sprouts, ssukgat, tofu, Korean radish, mushrooms, large green onion, red chili pepper, and Cheongyang chili pepper, cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
(Onion, zucchini, other mushrooms, or perilla leaves are fine too.)
Mix all the seasoning ingredients together.
Add the anchovy broth, Korean radish, and frozen pollack to a shallow stew pot. Once it starts boiling vigorously,
skim off any scum that floats to the top, then add the seasoning paste and stir it in...
(Even if it feels like extra effort, taking the time to brew a proper broth for jjigae doubles the pleasure of eating it.)
Add the prawns and simmer until all the raw ingredients are cooked through.
If you prefer milder food, you can leave it as is like I did, but if it tastes too light,
add about 1/2 tsp of salt to adjust the seasoning.
Add the tofu and soybean sprouts and simmer gently,
then finish by adding the ssukgat, enoki mushrooms, large green onion, and Cheongyang chili pepper.
Ppunwife's tips
- The secret to a clean broth without any fishy smell lies in meticulous prep work.
- Even if it feels like extra effort, taking the time to brew a proper broth for jjigae doubles the pleasure of eating it.
- To achieve a truly refreshing broth in dongtae jjigae, try your best to include both Korean radish and soybean sprouts.
FAQ
How should the fish be prepped to minimize any fishy odor?
Trim off the fins and scrape away the scales, cut the fish into pieces, and thoroughly wash away the black inner lining and blood clots along the spine with your fingers.
Are the king prawns strictly necessary?
The prawns are optional and can be omitted, or you can add pollock roe and milt instead to suit your taste.
Can I use vegetables other than the ones listed?
Yes, you can easily add onion, zucchini, perilla leaves, or other kinds of mushrooms according to your preference.
How many fish should I use if they are on the smaller side?
If your frozen pollack are small, prepare 2 whole fish for cooking.
