부대찌개 Budaejjigae
A spicy stew of ham, sausage, kimchi and instant noodles, cooked at the table and shared.
Spice: Medium
Jjigae (stew)
순두부찌개 Sundubujjigae
A spicy stew of soft, unpressed tofu and seafood, served boiling in an earthenware pot with rice.
- Soft Bean Curd Stew
- Spice: Medium
- Contains seafood
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Soft tofu, clams or other seafood, chili flakes, egg |
| How it's served | Boiling in an earthenware pot, with rice, side dishes and often a raw egg |
| Spice level | Medium — Clearly spicy. You'll want water nearby. |
| Diet | Contains seafood — Fish, shellfish, fish sauce, salted seafood (jeotgal) or anchovy stock is a standard ingredient. |
| Allergens | Soy · Egg · Mollusc shellfish · Crustacean shellfish |
| Ask about | The stock is often anchovy-based; some versions use beef, pork or kimchi (fish) instead of seafood. |
| On the menu | 순두부찌개 (Sundubujjigae) |
| Also called | sundubu · soondubu · soondubu jjigae · soft tofu stew |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Soft Bean Curd Stew
Crack in the egg
Many restaurants bring a raw egg on the side. Crack it into the stew while it is still boiling.
Use your spoon
The tofu is too soft for chopsticks. Scoop it up with some broth and eat it with rice.
Finish with the broth
Spoon the rest over your rice or eat it on its own. The earthenware pot stays very hot, so do not touch it.
How to order it
Order it as 순두부찌개. It usually comes as a single portion with rice, so one person can order it alone.
- On the menu: 순두부찌개
- Usually sold: 1 serving, with rice
Where it comes from
Sundubu is tofu that has curdled but has not been pressed into a block. The writings of the scholar Yi Saek mention soups made with tofu. No record names sundubu itself, but it was probably eaten as well.
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
김치찌개 Kimchijjigae
A bubbling stew of aged kimchi, pork and tofu, eaten with rice.
Spice: Medium
Questions about Soft Bean Curd Stew
Is sundubujjigae vegetarian?
Usually not. The standard version uses clams or other seafood, and many restaurants add pork or beef as well.
How spicy is sundubujjigae?
Medium. Chili flakes make the red broth clearly spicy, so keep rice and water nearby.
Can you eat sundubujjigae alone?
Yes. It usually comes as a single portion with rice, which makes it a common solo meal.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 10, 2026