Name: Spicy Kimchi Stew Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups chicken broth; 4 cups water; 2 tsp. dashi powder; 1 cup kimchi, (diced); 3 tbsp. doenjang ((soy bean paste)); 2 tbsp. gochujang ((Korean chili paste)); 2 tbsp. soy sauce; 1 tbsp. fish sauce; 2 tsp. mirin; 8 oz. firm tofu; 8 oz. udon noodles; 8 oz. Korean rice cakes ((optional)); 1/2 lbs. shrimp; 1/2 lbs. white fish, (cut in 1" pieces); 2 packages enoki mushrooms; 1 bag fresh spinach; sesame oil ((for garnish)); egg ((optional))

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This spicy Kimchi Stew Recipe is made with umami packed gochujang, doenjang (fermented soybean paste), spicy kimchi and other flavor packed ingredients, as well as tofu, noodles and seafood. Plus it comes together in just 30 minutes!

seafood and tofu soup with spinach in a bowl

This is one of those soups you eat whether it's hot or cold outside (just like this Korean odeng soup). Because it's that good.

Fresh ingredients like shrimp, fish, spinach and udon noodles, paired with the deep flavors of fermentation, this soup is amazingly delicious.

And easy. It only takes 30 minutes. That's right. 30 minutes. It may seem complex when reading the ingredients, but it's not. It's not much more than throwing ingredients in a pot, simmering for a few minutes, then enjoying.

Seriously. It's that easy. And with the intense flavors of kimchi, gochujang, fermented soybean paste and others, it's hard to say no to a soup like this.

Jump to:

Why This Recipe Works
Expert Tips
Serving Options
Frequently Asked Questions
Favorite Korean Recipes
Recipe
💬 Comments

Why This Recipe Works

The gochujang (fermented chili paste) and doenjang (fermented bean paste) add an amazing umami quality to the stew;
Cooking the seafood in residual heat helps to keep it from getting tough - it's perfectly cooked;
Honestly, kimchi, gochujang, seafood and noodles....how can you go wrong???

spicy kimchi stew in a bowl with spinach and chopsticks

Ingredients

The use of gochujang (Korean chili paste) and doenjang (Fermented bean paste) is absolutely necessary, and really brings the flavor home in this Korean stew. If all these ingredients sound foreign to you, no worries, they are very easy to find. Learn a little more about the basic Korean ingredients.

I have a Korean grocery store not too far from my place, so I typically get my ingredients there. But if you don't have that option, we have this wonderful service called Amazon.

Step By Step Instructions

This spicy Kimchi stew recipe seriously takes less than 30 minutes. It's so easy guys. And talk about your total comfort food.

1. First, we combine the chicken broth, water, dashi powder, soy sauce, fish sauce, mirin, doenjang (soy bean paste) and gochujang (Korean chili paste) in a dutch oven. Bring it to a boil, then turn the heat down to a simmer.

2. Add the diced kimchi, tofu and Korean rice cakes (if you're using them) and bring back to a simmer.

orange colored stew with tofu, vegetables, kimchi and seafood

3. Add the udon noodles and cook for 1 minute. If you are using dried udon noodles, you will need to cook them according to the package. Typically it will be about 10 minutes.

noodles in a spicy broth cooking with tofu

4. Remove from heat, add the spinach, fish, shrimp and enoki mushrooms. Place the lid on and let it sit for 15-20 minutes until the seafood cooks through. Letting the seafood cook this way keeps it from getting tough.

raw seafood and spinach added to a pot of simmering orange broth

5. OPTIONAL: Crack an egg into the steaming bowl. Spoon the hot liquid over the edges of the whites so they cook.

6. Garnish with green onions and a light drizzle of sesame oil.

bowl of seafood and kimchi stew with udon noodles

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Expert Tips

Add additional vegetables such as bok choy, kale, broccoli, etc. if desired;
The Korean rice cakes are optional - they will add a hearty, slightly chewy component which can be delicious. However, note they do not freeze or reheat very well;
Add fried tofu cubes for an added texture (plus they're yummy);
You can use fresh or dried udon noodles. If using dried, you'll need to add 10 minutes to the cook time or just cook the noodles the day before;
Any firm white fish will work - I typically use cod as it's easy to find and affordable;
If you prefer less spicy food, be sure to buy mild gochujang. It typically ranges from mild to very hot.

Serving Options

Steamed White Rice;
Korean Macaroni Salad from My Korean Kitchen;
Braised Potatoes from Korean Bapsang.

chopsticks holding noodles over a bowl of soup

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you freeze kimchi stew? Kimchi stew can be frozen in a an airtight container and store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat on the stove. Add additional broth if the stew is too thick.
Can you make kimchi stew ahead of time? If you want to make this ahead of time, I recommend adding everything except the noodles and seafood. When ready to serve, heat it on the stove and cook the noodles and seafood according to the instructions.