Nourish: Kimchi Tofiu Jjigae

NourishNovember 10, 2025

Nourish: Kimchi Tofiu Jjigae

At OWIU Goods, we often return to dishes that ask for little but give so much in return, the kind that fill the room with warmth and the air with something familiar. A bowl of kimchi tofu jjigae does just that. Spicy, savoury, and softly rich, it’s simple, comforting, and deeply grounding. As the days grow shorter and colder, this is the kind of bowl that feels like a warm hug, a reminder of how nourishment often begins in the smallest acts of care.

Ingredients

  • 1 small banana shallot, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup well-fermented kimchi, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon of gochujang
  • ½ teaspoon of miso paste
  • ½ teaspoon of gochugaru (Korean chilli flakes)
  • ½ teaspoon of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of soy sauce
  • ¾ cup dashi (or water, if preferred)
  • ½ block soft tofu, cut into cubes
  • Spring onions or chives, finely sliced, for garnish

Steps

  1. In a small pot, warm the sesame oil over medium heat and sauté the shallots until translucent. Add the kimchi and cook until it softens and releases its aroma.
  2. Stir in gochujang, miso, gochugaru, sugar, and soy sauce, coating the kimchi evenly.
  3. Pour in the dashi and let it simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes. Add the tofu and cook until heated through, allowing the broth to deepen in flavour.
  4. Taste and adjust to your liking, adding a touch more soy for salt or sugar for balance.
  5. Serve warm, topped with a handful of spring onions or chives.
Recipe process image
Recipe process image
Recipe process image

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