Spicy and Rich Tuna Sundubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew with Tuna)
A spicy and rich stew made by rendering chili oil with the oil from canned tuna.
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 spicy soft tofu stew uses the oil from canned tuna to bloom chili flakes before simmering with anchovy broth and vegetables. Draining the excess liquid from the soft tofu ahead of time keeps the broth from turning watery, letting you enjoy a deep, savory flavor.
- Servings
- 2–3 servings
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Spiciness
- Spicy
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Soft tofu (sundubu)1 pack
- Canned tuna1, 85 g (small)
- Korean zucchini (aehobak)1/4
- Onion1/4
- Large green onion (daepa)1/2 stalk
- Cheongyang chili pepper (hot green chili)1
- Red chili pepper1
- Anchovy broth1 cup
Seasoning
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)2 tbsp
- Minced garlic1/2 tbsp
- Soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang)1 tbsp
- Fish sauce (or dried anchovies)1/2 tbsp
- Ground black peppera little
- If you have mushrooms, it is great to add them too.
- Remove the soft tofu from its package, place it in a bowl, and thoroughly drain the pooled liquid so the broth does not become bland.
Steps
Prepare the ingredients
Today's soft tofu stew is kept very simple.
It takes 1 tube of soft tofu, 1 small can of tuna, Korean zucchini, onion, large green onion, and chilies.
If you have mushrooms, it is great to add them too.
First, take the soft tofu out of the package and place it in a bowl.
After some time, liquid from the soft tofu will pool at the bottom. Tilt the bowl and drain all the water out completely so the stew does not become watery.
Chop the vegetables
Chop all the vegetables finely so they are easy to scoop up with a spoon.
Make the chili oil
Instead of adding separate cooking oil, we will make chili oil using the oil from the canned tuna.
Squeeze the tuna firmly to collect its oil into an earthenware pot, add the onion and half of the sliced large green onion, then add 2 tbsp of gochugaru and stir-fry so it does not burn.
Stir-fry over low heat until the large green onion and onion soften and the gochugaru releases a vibrant color.
Simmer the stew
Pour in 1 cup of anchovy broth, and once it comes to a boil...
Add 1/2 tbsp of minced garlic and 1 tbsp of soup soy sauce...
Add the Korean zucchini, soft tofu, and tuna, then bring to a bubbling boil.
Once all the ingredients are fully cooked and well blended, taste it and add 1/2 tbsp of fish sauce to boost the savory depth and adjust the seasoning.
At the end, add the remaining large green onion, chilies, and a little ground black pepper, then bring to a brief boil to finish.
Serve
The tuna sundubu jjigae is finished.
It looks so appetizing and makes your mouth water just by looking at it.
The ingredients are simple, and the seasoning is ultra-simple...
Mix a scoop of soft tofu and a generous splash of broth over freshly cooked rice, and it is delicious even with just kimchi on the side.
Put that forgotten can of tuna in your pantry to good use.
If you need a spicy, comforting bowl of soup for tonight's dinner, pick up a tube of soft tofu.
Ppunwife's tips
- Instead of adding separate cooking oil, we will make chili oil using the oil from the canned tuna.
- Stir-fry over low heat until the large green onion and onion soften and the gochugaru releases a vibrant color.
- Once all the ingredients are fully cooked and well blended, taste it and add 1/2 tbsp of fish sauce to boost the savory depth and adjust the seasoning.
FAQ
Is there a trick to keep the broth from turning bland?
Place the soft tofu in a bowl after removing it from the package and pour off all the liquid that pools at the bottom before cooking, which prevents the broth from watering down.
Do I need to add cooking oil to make the chili oil?
No, simply squeeze the oil from the canned tuna directly into the pot and stir-fry it with the large green onion, onion, and gochugaru to create chili oil without extra cooking oil.
Are there other ingredients that go well with the basic vegetables?
If you have mushrooms on hand, they are wonderful to add to the stew.
