부대찌개 Budaejjigae
A spicy stew of ham, sausage, kimchi and instant noodles, cooked at the table and shared.
Spice: Medium
Jjigae (stew)
김치찌개 Kimchijjigae
A bubbling stew of aged kimchi, pork and tofu, eaten with rice.
- Kimchi Stew
- Spice: Medium
- Contains pork
- Contains seafood
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Aged kimchi, pork, tofu |
| How it's served | Bubbling hot in a small pot, with a bowl of rice and side dishes |
| Spice level | Medium — Clearly spicy. You'll want water nearby. |
| Diet | Contains pork · Contains seafood — Pork is a standard ingredient. Fish, shellfish, fish sauce, salted seafood (jeotgal) or anchovy stock is a standard ingredient. |
| Allergens | Fish · Crustacean shellfish · Soy |
| Ask about | Some versions use canned tuna instead of pork, or add instant noodles (wheat). |
| On the menu | 김치찌개 (Kimchijjigae) |
| Also called | kimchi jjigae · kimchi jigae · kimchi chigae |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Kimchi Stew
Pair it with rice
Spoon some stew over your rice, or dip a spoonful of rice into the broth.
Use chopsticks for pork and kimchi
Tofu breaks apart easily, so pick it up with your spoon.
Finish with the broth
Drink the rest with your spoon. Side dishes are often refilled for free.
How to order it
Order it as 김치찌개. It usually comes as a single portion with rice, so one person can order it alone.
- On the menu: 김치찌개
- Usually sold: 1 serving, with rice
Where it comes from
In the royal court, it was called kimchi jochi. It is thought to have begun as a way to use leftover or sour kimchi. The stew likely appeared from the mid-Joseon period on, once kimchi was made with chili peppers.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (encykorea.aks.ac.kr)
Similar dishes
된장찌개 Doenjangjjigae
A stew of fermented soybean paste, tofu and vegetables, served bubbling hot with rice.
Spice: Mild
순두부찌개 Sundubujjigae
A spicy stew of soft, unpressed tofu and seafood, served boiling in an earthenware pot with rice.
Spice: Medium
Questions about Kimchi Stew
Is kimchijjigae vegetarian?
Usually not. Standard versions use pork, and the kimchi itself often contains fish sauce or salted shrimp. If you avoid meat or seafood, ask the restaurant.
How spicy is kimchijjigae?
Medium. The heat comes from the kimchi and chili flakes. It is clearly spicy, so keep rice and water nearby.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 10, 2026