Easy Korean Tofu Stew Recipe You Can Make at Home

If you are looking for a comforting, flavorful meal that is quick to make, this Easy Korean Tofu Stew Recipe is a perfect choice. It is warm, spicy, and packed with rich broth and soft tofu that melts in your mouth. The ingredients are simple, and you can find them in most grocery stores, so you do not need special experience to cook Korean food at home.

I love this stew because it feels light yet satisfying, and it comes together in one pot with very little effort. You can adjust the spice level, add vegetables, or keep it basic depending on what you have in the kitchen. This Easy Korean Tofu Stew Recipe is ideal for busy days when you want something cozy, homemade, and full of flavor.

Why This Easy Korean Tofu Stew Recipe Works

This stew feels like comfort food without being complicated. It uses just a handful of ingredients, but each one brings its own layer of flavor, which is why the broth tastes so rich even though the recipe is simple. You don’t need fancy cookware or rare ingredients — just good tofu, flavorful broth, and a few Korean staples like gochujang and gochugaru.

The Flavor Logic Behind the Stew

Korean tofu stew works because it balances three key elements:

• Heat from gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) or gochujang (Korean chili paste)

• Umami from broth, soy sauce, garlic, and green onions

• Soft tofu texture that absorbs seasoning like a sponge

This is why the broth never feels flat — the seasoning clings to the tofu and vegetables.

Ingredients You’ll Actually Need

You can make this Easy Korean Tofu Stew Recipe with simple store-bought ingredients. Most Korean markets carry them, but they’re also easy to find online or at large grocery stores.

Base Ingredients

• Soft or silken tofu (soon tofu)

• Vegetable or chicken broth

• Gochujang (Korean chili paste)

• Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)

• Garlic

• Onion or scallions

• Soy sauce

Optional Upgrades

• Kimchi for tanginess

• Mushrooms for earthiness

• Shrimp or clams for seafood-style broth

• Zucchini or bok choy for extra veg

Even if you start with the simplest version, the broth still tastes full and satisfying.

Choosing the Right Tofu for This Stew

Not all tofu is the same, and choosing the right texture is a big part of why this Easy Korean Tofu Stew Recipe tastes authentic. Most Korean tofu stews use soft or silken tofu, also known as soondubu. This type of tofu has a custard-like texture that breaks apart gently into the broth, giving each spoonful a smooth, comforting feel.

Which Tofu Texture Is Best?

Soft tofu absorbs seasoning from the broth easily, which is why it feels more flavorful compared to firm tofu that just sits in chunks.

How to Cook This Easy Korean Tofu Stew Recipe (Step-by-Step)

This stew comes together quickly, so it helps to prep everything first before turning on the stove. The cooking time is short, but the flavor still develops beautifully because each ingredient goes in at the right stage.

Step 1: Build the Base

Start by heating a little oil in a pot and sautéing garlic and green onions. This step releases deep aroma and sets the tone for the broth.

Step 2: Add Heat and Seasoning

Once the aromatics are fragrant, add gochujang and gochugaru. Let them bloom in the hot oil — this intensifies the flavor and color.

Step 3: Add Broth

Pour in your broth and stir. The soup turns red and flavorful as the chili paste dissolves.

Step 4: Add Tofu

Gently spoon soft tofu into the broth. Do not stir aggressively — you want the tofu to break apart naturally, not mash into paste.

Step 5: Simmer and Adjust

Let everything simmer so the tofu absorbs the seasoning. Taste and adjust with soy sauce if needed.

Optional Step 6: Crack an Egg on Top

Traditional Korean tofu stew is sometimes served with a raw egg cracked on top just before serving. The heat lightly cooks it, adding richness.

Common Mistakes (and Easy Fixes)

A lot of people think more salt makes soup taste stronger, but in Korean stews, seasoning happens through layered flavor, not just sodium.

Variations You Can Make

You can keep this Easy Korean Tofu Stew Recipe totally vegetarian, or turn it into a heartier version with proteins or vegetables.

Protein Variations

• Egg dropped in at the end (soft poached)

• Shrimp or clams for seafood-style tofu stew

• Sliced beef or pork for a richer broth

Vegetable Additions

• Mushrooms

• Zucchini

• Napa cabbage

• Bok choy

Spice Adjustments

• Add more gochugaru for stronger heat

• Add extra gochujang for thicker broth

• Tone it down with extra broth if you’re spice-sensitive

What to Serve With This Korean Tofu Stew

This Easy Korean Tofu Stew Recipe tastes amazing on its own, but a few simple side pairings can turn it into a warm and comforting Korean-style meal.

Best Side Dishes to Pair With It

• Steamed rice (the classic pairing)

• Kimchi for tang and contrast

• Pickled radish or cucumber for crunch

• Seaweed sheets for added umami

• Light pan-fried dumplings if you want something extra

Rice is especially important because it balances the spice and makes the broth feel more satisfying.

When to Serve This Stew

This dish works well in many situations — and it’s one of those recipes that fits both quick meals and cozy evenings.

Perfect for:

• A fast weeknight dinner

• A warming cold-weather meal

• A simple lunch with rice

• A vegetarian comfort food option

• A Korean-style meal starter

Ever have those days where you want something comforting but not heavy? This hits that zone perfectly.

Easy Korean Tofu Stew Recip

Arif

This Easy Korean Tofu Stew Recipe is warm, flavorful, and comforting, made with soft tofu simmered in a spicy and savory broth. It is simple to prepare at home and perfect for a quick, nourishing meal. You can adjust the spice level, add vegetables, or keep it classic — it always tastes satisfying and cozy.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Resting Time 2 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Course Stove-top stew

Cuisine Korean

Servings 3

Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

• Medium saucepan or Korean earthenware pot (ttukbaegi if available)
• Cutting board and knife
• Measuring spoons
• Mixing spoon or ladle
• Heatproof spatula
• Small bowl for seasoning paste

Ingredients

  

• Base
• 1 tablespoon oil neutral or sesame
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 2 green onions white part for broth, green part for topping
• 1 small onion optional, finely chopped
• Seasoning Paste
• 1 tablespoon gochujang Korean chili paste
• 1 teaspoon gochugaru Korean chili flakes
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Broth & Tofu
• 2 cups vegetable broth or anchovy/chicken broth
• 1 package soft or silken tofu soon tofu
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil optional but recommended
• Optional Add-ins
• Mushrooms
• Zucchini slices
• Kimchi
• Shrimp or clams
• One egg cracked in at the end

Instructions

 

• Heat oil in a saucepan and sauté garlic, onions, and the white part of the green onions until fragrant.
• Stir in gochujang and gochugaru. Let them toast in the oil to release flavor.
• Add soy sauce and broth, stirring until everything dissolves and the soup turns red.
• Gently add the tofu by spooning it into the broth in large chunks. Do not stir too hard.
• Add optional vegetables or protein if using, and simmer for 5–7 minutes.
• Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil and top with the green part of the scallions.
• Serve hot with steamed rice.

Notes

Soft or silken tofu gives the stew its authentic texture.

For milder heat, cut the gochugaru in half or add more broth.

A cracked egg added just before serving gives extra richness.

Kimchi adds tanginess and deeper umami if you want more flavor.

Nutritional Information (Approx. per serving)

Calories: ~180

Protein: 11g

Fat: 9g

Carbohydrates: 14g

Fiber: 2g

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FAQ Section on Easy Korean Tofu Stew

1. Can I make Korean tofu stew without gochujang?
Yes, you can use only gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) for a lighter broth, but gochujang adds thickness and deeper flavor. If you skip it, the stew will taste more like a soup than a rich stew.

2. Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely. Just stick with vegetable broth and skip seafood or meat add-ins. The flavor still comes through beautifully because of the chili paste and garlic.

3. Can I use firm tofu instead of soft tofu?
You can, but it will not have the silky texture that makes this stew special. Soft tofu absorbs flavor more effectively and keeps the authentic Korean consistency.

4. How spicy is this stew?
The spice level is adjustable. Add more broth for mild heat or extra gochugaru for a stronger kick. If you are cooking for kids, reduce the chili paste.

5. What should I serve with this stew?
Steamed rice is the most traditional pairing. You can also serve it with kimchi, pickled radish, or roasted seaweed for a full Korean-style meal.

Conclusion Easy Korean Tofu Stew

This Easy Korean Tofu Stew Recipe is the kind of meal you make once and then go back to again and again because it feels like real comfort food. It is simple, fast, and incredibly satisfying, even though the ingredients are basic and the cooking time is short. The soft tofu turns silky as it simmers, and the broth becomes rich and flavorful from the chili paste and garlic.