Jjigae & Stews

Sundubu Jjigae

순두부찌개 · sundubu “soft, unpressed tofu” + jjigae “stew” = “soft-tofu stew”

Uncurdled soft tofu in a red chilli broth, served boiling in a stone pot.

See the list
Spice
Spicy
Format
Individual portion
Beginner-friendly
2/3

Editorial scale. Actual heat varies from one kitchen to another. Editorial assessment.

What it is

The tofu in sundubu has never been pressed or moulded. It stays in soft curds, almost custard-like, and breaks apart into the broth instead of holding its shape. That broth is reddened with chilli and often built on seafood, and it reaches the table still boiling inside a stone pot. The portion is individual, which makes it a natural order for one person or a short lunch.

Crack the raw egg into the pot as soon as it lands, if it has not been cracked for you, and let it set in the heat before stirring. Eat with a spoon, alternating with the rice served alongside. The stone holds its temperature for a long time, so the last spoonful is as hot as the first.

Served with

steamed rice · raw egg · banchan

Tip — Heat level is often chosen when ordering — that is the moment to say something, not afterwards.

Main ingredients — Tofu · Seafood · Egg

We don't list allergens: recipes vary from one restaurant to another. For any allergy or dietary restriction, ask the restaurant directly.

Sundubu Jjigae

by avlxyz · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

K-RESTO.