
Doenjang jjigae is one of those deeply comforting Korean stews that tastes like it took all day, even though it comes together in under half an hour. The broth starts with dried kelp and anchovies simmered together, building a naturally rich, savory base without a drop of vegetable or seed oil anywhere in the pot. Fermented soybean paste dissolves right into that broth, layering in earthy, umami depth that pairs beautifully with tender zucchini, silky tofu, and meaty shiitake mushrooms. Gochugaru and a fresh chili bring just enough heat to make every spoonful interesting, while garlic and green onions round everything out. Many store-bought versions of this stew or its key ingredients can sneak in unwanted oils, but this recipe keeps things clean ā every ingredient is whole, fermented, or fresh. Ladled over short-grain rice, it's a full, satisfying meal that proves bold flavor never needed refined oils to begin with.
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Combine the water, dried kelp, and dried anchovies in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes, until the broth is lightly golden and fragrant.
Remove the kelp and anchovies with a fine-mesh strainer or tongs and discard them. You should have about 5 cups of clear broth.
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