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Easy Doenjang Tofu Stew

Name: Easy Doenjang Tofu Stew
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 2 cup water or vegetable broth; 3 tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste); 14 oz firm tofu, cubed; 1 cup zucchini, sliced; 0.5 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced; 1 unit onion, diced; 2 tsp garlic, minced; 1 tsp gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes); 1 tsp sesame oil; 1 pinch green onions, chopped

Need a warm hug in a bowl? This rich, earthy stew is the ultimate low-effort comfort food.

Total: 30 min
Prep: 10 min
Cook: 20 min
Serves: 4
Difficulty: easy
Calories: 126
Cost: $/serving

When the day feels long and you just need something cozy to settle into, this Doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew) is your best friend. It packs a punch of deep, savory flavor thanks to the fermented soybean paste, while the tofu provides a soft, satisfying texture. It’s hearty enough to feel like a feast but simple enough that you won't spend all evening in the kitchen. Just grab some veggies, toss them in, and let the broth do the heavy lifting for you.

Ingredients

2 cup water or vegetable broth
3 tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
14 oz firm tofu, cubed
1 cup zucchini, sliced
0.5 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
1 unit onion, diced
2 tsp garlic, minced
1 tsp gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)
1 tsp sesame oil
1 pinch green onions, chopped

Method

1 In a medium pot, combine the water or broth, doenjang paste, gochugaru, and minced garlic. Stir well until the paste is fully dissolved into the liquid.
2 Add the diced onion, sliced mushrooms, and zucchini to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
3 Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.
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4 Gently fold in the cubed tofu and season with a pinch of salt if needed. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
5 Stir in the sesame oil and top with green onions before serving hot.

Variations

Extra Spicy — Add an extra tablespoon of gochugaru if you prefer a real kick.
Veggie Loaded — Swap the shiitake mushrooms for sliced carrots or cubed potatoes for more texture.

Notes

If you can't find doenjang at your local market, you can substitute it with a mix of miso paste and a little soy sauce, though the flavor will be less earthy.