How to Cook - Korean Spicy Tofu Soup/Stew - ("Sundubu Jjigae")

Welcome to our Recipe of Life! 🍳 Today, I’m sharing one of my all-time favorite dishes—Korean Spicy Tofu Soup (Sundubu Jjigae) 🔥. This dish brings comfort to your soul—and a little spice to your life! 🌟 So grab your ingredients 🛒 and let’s cook up some magic together! Ingredients: 1 block of firm tofu, cut into small cubes 🍲 2 tbsp sesame oil 🌿 1 clove garlic, minced 🧄 1 small onion, minced 🧅 1 tsp ground ginger 🌱 1 tsp salt 🧂 ½ tsp black pepper 🌶️ 2 cups beef or vegetable broth 🍖🥕 or 🥦 2 cups water 💧 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste) 🌶️ 1 tbsp soy sauce 🍶 ¼ cup chopped green onions 🧅 ¼ cup roasted sesame seeds 🌰 1 zucchini, sliced 🥒 1 carrot, julienned 🥕 (optional, but adds a lovely color!) 🌈 Ready to cook up something spicy and delicious? 😋👩‍🍳 1. Chopping down my garlic, tiny but mighty. Chop, chop, chop… for that instant aromatherapy. 2. Then came the onion—cue the cooking class wisdom my son picked up at school. Fast and precise, just like the pros! First, cut the onion in half. Hold the bulb like it owes you money, slice straight down, then cut across. Boom! Tiny, precise dices that would make any chef proud. (And yes, I totally pretended I always knew this technique.) 3. Tofu—time for the easiest yet somehow trickiest part. Cut it into small, even cubes… or at least aim for “mostly” even. Let’s be real, tofu is soft, wobbly, and not exactly cooperative, but hey, we’re not building a skyscraper—we’re making soup! 4. Ginger—time to show off those chopping skills again! Slice it thin, then mince it up. Bonus points if you don’t chase little ginger bits all over the cutting board! 5. Now, let’s build the flavor powerhouse—aka, the soup base! Pour in 2 cups of broth (vegetable for the plant lovers, chicken for the rest of us). a. Add 1 tbsp salt (because seasoning is life), b. ½ tbsp black pepper (just enough kick), c. 1 tbsp soy sauce (umami magic), and d. 1 tbsp Korean gochujang (hello, spice!), e. Give it a good stir and pretend you’re a mad scientist creating the perfect potion! 6. Time to get that pot ready! Drizzle in some sesame oil (yep, 2 tbsp—let’s not be shy). Toss in all the diced garlic, onion, and ginger like you're making a magical flavor explosion. 7. Turn that heat to medium and let it fry away. Keep going until your kitchen starts smelling so good, even your neighbors will want to come over for a taste! 8. Now, toss in the diced tofu—watch it gently join the party 9. Add the zucchini too, because why not? It’s the perfect way to sneak in some extra veggies. Stir it all up like you know exactly what you're doing. 10. And don’t forget the carrot—because let's be honest, color is everything! Toss it in for that vibrant pop and pretend you're a culinary artist making a masterpiece. Stir everything together like you’re the Picasso of soup! 11. Let them all hang out in the pot for a bit, just chilling—like a little veggie party. Give it a few minutes, letting everything get half-cooked and cozy together. It’s like they’re getting to know each other before the big flavor reveal! 12. Now, pour in that glorious soup base you made earlier—watch it all come together in a beautiful, soupy symphony. Then, add 2 extra cups of water to give it that perfect balance. Stir it all up like you're creating the ultimate comfort potion. 13. Bring it to a full boil—let it bubble away like it’s working hard to impress you! 14. Let it simmer for an extra 10-15 minutes over medium heat—this is where the flavors really come to life and start showing off! 15. Ding ding! Alarm’s up—your soup is almost ready! 16. For the final touch, sprinkle in the chopped green onions and roasted sesame seeds. 17. Serve it hot with a bowl of rice—because let’s face it, soup and rice are basically best friends. Now it’s officially fancy enough to serve at a dinner party! Enjoy your masterpiece, all hot and bubbly, looking like it could be in a food magazine. You did it, chef-extraordinaire! After the meal, there’s this comforting warmth that lingers—spicy, soothing, and perfect for those chilly winter days. Honestly, my family usually asks for bibimbap (and let’s be real, they love it), but for me, it’s all about this spicy tofu soup. Why? Because I love to share. Soup is just one of those dishes that makes a meal feel complete in Asia. When everyone else is having their rice or noodles, I get to order this bowl of warmth, and I can share a few spoons with my family, warming up their stomachs too. It’s funny how as a housewife, you end up thinking of everyone else first. You give up your own cravings, just so the family feels cared for, and in the end, that’s what makes a meal feel truly special. It’s the little things—like a bowl of soup—that make all the difference. If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with your friends and family! Let’s spread the love and warmth—one bowl at a time! 😊