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July 12, 2026 Carlos Mendez 21 min read 3 views

Sundubu Jjigae (순두부찌개): Traditional vs. Easy — Korean Soft Tofu Ste...

Sundubu Jjigae (순두부찌개): Traditional vs. Easy — Korean Soft Tofu Ste...
AINBlogger › Food › Korean Food
Korean Food
July 13, 2026 AINBlogger Editorial 8 min read

Sundubu jjigae (순두부찌개) — soft tofu stew — is one of those dishes that looks intimidating but is actually one of the most forgiving Korean recipes to make at home. The silky tofu, the deep red broth, and the raw egg cracked in at the end are the signatures of one of Korea's most beloved stews.

The Key: Sundubu (Soft Tofu)

Sundubu (순두부) is uncurdled, extra-soft tofu — silkier and more delicate than regular soft tofu. It comes in tubes or sealed containers. When added to the boiling broth, it breaks into irregular silky curds that are completely different in texture from cubed firm tofu. Do not substitute with regular tofu — the textural experience is fundamentally different.

🥚 Traditional Sundubu Jjigae

Time: 35 min | Serves: 1-2

Ingredients

  • 1 tube (300g) sundubu (extra soft tofu)
  • 100g pork belly or clams
  • 1 tbsp gochugaru
  • 1 tbsp gochujang
  • 1 cup anchovy stock
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ onion, sliced
  • 1 egg
  • Spring onions
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  1. Heat sesame oil in an earthenware pot or small pot. Add gochugaru and stir for 30 seconds — this blooms the pepper and deepens the color.
  2. Add pork belly. Cook 3 minutes until lightly browned.
  3. Add garlic, onion, gochujang. Stir 1 minute.
  4. Pour in anchovy stock. Bring to a boil.
  5. Add sundubu in large spoonfuls directly from tube. Do not stir — let it break naturally as it cooks.
  6. Add soy sauce. Simmer 5 minutes.
  7. Crack egg directly into the stew. Cover and cook 1 minute — yolk should be slightly runny.
  8. Garnish with spring onions. Serve immediately, still bubbling, with steamed rice.

⚡ Quick Sundubu Jjigae

Time: 15 min | Serves: 1

Ingredients

  • 1 tube sundubu
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp gochugaru
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 egg
  • Optional: kimchi, canned clams
  1. Bring water to boil with garlic, gochugaru, and soy sauce.
  2. Add sundubu in large pieces. Simmer 5 minutes.
  3. Drizzle sesame oil. Crack in egg. Cover 1 minute.
  4. Serve with rice immediately.

This is genuinely the fastest hot meal you can make from pantry staples. The sundubu does most of the work.

Watch It Being Made

Traditional sundubu jjigae — step by step
Easy Korean soft tofu stew for beginners
Bloom the gochugaru first: Cooking the red pepper flakes in oil for 30 seconds before adding liquid deepens the flavor and gives the stew its characteristic rich red color. Don't skip this step.

My honest take: Sundubu jjigae is the Korean dish I'd recommend to anyone who's intimidated by Korean cooking. The ingredients list is short, the technique is simple, and the result is genuinely impressive. Start here.

Tags: sundubu jjigae soft tofu stew Korean stew Korean recipe spicy tofu
More Korean Food: View all Korean recipes

Research from the USDA Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review consistently finds that dietary patterns matter more than individual food choices — the overall composition of what you eat across weeks and months drives health outcomes more than any single meal or ingredient.

When This Doesn't Apply

Dietary recommendations are population-level averages that may not apply to individual circumstances. Allergies, intolerances, medical conditions, and medications can all alter what constitutes appropriate nutrition for a specific person. The guidance here reflects general evidence; your specific situation may require professional consultation.

The USDA Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee emphasizes that overall dietary patterns matter more than individual foods or nutrients — the cumulative effect of consistent eating habits over weeks and months drives health outcomes more than any single meal or ingredient choice.

When This Doesn't Apply

Dietary guidance represents population-level averages that may not apply to individual circumstances. Allergies, intolerances, medical conditions, and medications can all alter what constitutes appropriate nutrition for a specific person. The guidance here reflects general evidence; anyone with specific health conditions affecting diet should prioritize professional consultation over general dietary advice, however evidence-based.

Carlos Mendez
Written by
Carlos Mendez

Carlos Mendez is a food writer, trained chef, and culinary anthropologist who has eaten his way through 50 countries studying how food cultures develop and what they reveal about the societies that create them. He covers...

Tags: sundubu jjigae, soft tofu stew, Korean stew, Korean recipe, spicy tofu

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