Go Back
–+ servings
A bowl of Korean kimchi beef stew with beef, tofu, and mushrooms in a spicy red broth, served with white rice and pickled radish on the side.

Korean Kimchi Beef Stew

No ratings yet
Korean kimchi beef stew is a bold, spicy, and umami-rich dish made with tender beef, aged kimchi, and a slow-simmered broth infused with gochujang, garlic, and soy sauce. It’s deeply comforting and perfect for cold days.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ lbs beef short ribs or brisket cut into chunks
  • 2 cups aged kimchi chopped
  • 1 tablespoon gochujang Korean chili paste
  • 1 teaspoon gochugaru Korean chili flakes
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger grated
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce for extra umami
  • 4 cups beef broth or anchovy stock
  • 1 cup mushrooms shiitake or enoki
  • 1 cup tofu cubed
  • 1 stalk scallions sliced for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil for finishing

Equipment

  • Large pot For slow-simmering the stew
  • Knife For cutting beef and vegetables
  • Wooden spoon For stirring the stew

Method
 

  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sear the beef until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.
  2. Add kimchi, garlic, and ginger to the pot. Stir and cook for 3 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Stir in gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Mix well to coat the kimchi.
  4. Pour in beef broth and return the beef to the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let simmer for 60–90 minutes.
  5. Add mushrooms and tofu in the last 15 minutes of cooking.
  6. Garnish with scallions and drizzle with sesame oil before serving.

Notes

  • Use well-fermented kimchi for the best depth of flavor.
  • For a milder stew, reduce the amount of gochugaru and gochujang.
  • Serve with rice and banchan (Korean side dishes) for a complete meal.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!