Description
This hearty Korean fermented soybean paste stew, known as Doenjang Jjigae, is brimming with wholesome vegetables and fresh scallops. The rich, savory flavor from the doenjang combined with tender potatoes, sweet butternut squash, aromatic onions, and a subtle spicy kick from green chili peppers creates a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for any meal. Serve it steaming hot alongside rice and traditional Korean side dishes for an authentic experience.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 large potato, peeled and cut into bite-size chunks
- 1 cup peeled butternut squash (or zucchini), cut into chunks
- 1 large onion, cut into chunks
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 green chili pepper (or jalapeño), chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
Other Ingredients
- ⅓ cup doenjang (Korean fermented soybean paste)
- 3 cups water
- 8 ounces fresh scallops, cut into bite-size pieces
Instructions
- Prepare and Combine Ingredients: In a pot, combine the bite-sized potato chunks, butternut squash, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped green chili pepper, doenjang paste, and water. Stir gently to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Cook Vegetables: Cover the pot and cook the mixture over medium-high heat for 10 minutes. This allows the vegetables to soften and the flavors to marry perfectly.
- Add Scallops: Add the bite-size scallop pieces to the pot, reduce heat to medium, and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the scallops are just cooked through and tender.
- Finish with Green Onions: Stir in the chopped green onions, then turn off the heat to retain their fresh flavor and slight crunch.
- Serve and Reheat: Serve the stew hot alongside steamed rice and kimchi for a traditional Korean meal. Reheat gently before serving if needed.
Notes
- Butternut squash can be substituted with zucchini for a lighter flavor.
- Adjust the amount of green chili pepper according to your spice preference.
- Doenjang is a fermented soybean paste that adds deep umami flavor; using authentic Korean doenjang is best.
- This stew pairs excellently with steamed rice and Korean side dishes like kimchi and pickled vegetables.
- Do not overcook scallops to prevent them from becoming tough or rubbery.
- Reheat the stew gently to preserve texture and flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean