how to make 된장찌개

How to make 된장찌개 is a step-by-step tutorial on becoming, loving and devouring what will never be again.

Step 1: Base Elixir

My preferred method is to steal dried anchovies, shrimp and seaweed from my mom’s pantry. If you don’t have a mom accessible or aren’t on speaking terms, you can also find this at Joong Boo Market on Kimball Ave. Drop a few of these in a pot of water. I like to use a 뚝배기 (traditional korean earthenware) for the heat and vibes, but a regular pot will do the trick.

Imitation Hack: If you don’t want to make your own broth, you can get broth tablets too.

Step 2: Bewitched Factor

Add some clams. Maybe like 5. Add the white part of green onions. Like 3. This is more important than it may seem.

Step 3: The Heart

Add your soybean paste. The brand of the soybean paste here is essential. I like using Dadam Soybean Paste. About a hearty spoon and a half.

Step 4: Letting it Linger

Add your red pepper powder. Definitely not the ones you find in American grocery stores. I like using the coarse kind, because I like seeing the little specks in the stew. Chop in some 청양고추 (Korean chili peppers). I think 된장찌개 should hit the back of your throat, make you cough a little as you feel the hotness run down your body. But if you can’t handle it or blah blah blah you can skip this step. Stir this newly assembled stew together. 

Step 5: Eroticize

Cover and let boil. Eroticize the mundane, just like how you are making this stew right now. So sexy. Listen to the bubbles boiling, how it gets louder when you lift the lid because of your irresitable curiosity. Think of how you’ve had a long or short day, did everything or did nothing. Feel proud that you are standing in the kitchen, making yourself a hearty meal regardless of it all. 

Step 6: It Gets Messy

Add in your tofu. About half a block. You could also add a little zucchini if you have it. Cut up in half circles. Tofu is an essential ingredient because it balances the saltiness of the stew. And it is protein so yay! Cut those up in cubes. Later, when you eat this with rice, you can smash it all up in your bowl like a little child and grumble like a gluttonous beast.

Step 7: Taste Test

Now taste. Mmmmm. It could probably use a little more of something. Unless you are a creative genius and your ancestors have flown into your fingertips to give you the perfect-ratio-intuition. This only happens to me sometimes, so when it doesn’t, add a little bit of fish sauce.

Step 8: Set the Table

What do you bring to the table? Melancholy and a blurry childhood? Excruciating self awareness? Rage? Maybe a need to escape from reality…a lot of thoughts and little words…or to be loved…

Step 9: Devour

Eat. Did someone come into your kitchen, hungry for you? Share this with them. No? Then I guess we enjoy and wait.