Are you looking for the best spicy Korean stews/soups to keep you warm all winter long? Whether you want to eat out or make it at home, we have you covered.
Spicy Korean Stews/Soups for Winter
Winter is coming and when it does you are going to be thanking us for this post. When the temperature drops and your butt freezes, there are five Korean stews/soups we recommend to chase the blues away. They are spicy, ass kicking soups that make you feel like you are being hugged by an angry grandmother from the inside out. These are the dishes we crave and eat in mass all winter long. At this point we don’t know how we ever lived without them.
And if spicy stews/soups are not your thing, make sure to check out 5 NOT Spicy Korean Soups for Winter.
Kimchi jjigae 김치찌개
This is not for the timid, but it is the ruler of them all. When we first arrived in Korea we thought this stew was too much, but now it’s what we crave more than anything when the weather gets cold. There is just no way of replacing this unusually, delicious stew. It’s spicy, tangy, sweet, and rich. This soup is often eaten for breakfast because it sets you up to have a good day.
Where We Like to Eat It:
Baekchae Kimchijjigae
031-668-2391
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
If you are in the Pyeongtaek area, make sure to check out our blog with ten locations for you to enjoy the deliciousness of kimchi jjigae.
KimchiRednecks show you how to make Kimchi Jjigae at home
Budae Jjigae 부대찌개
Now, if meat is what you are all about, then you want to go for some good old fashioned soldier stew. This dish doesn’t try to be fancy. It originated during the Korean War when they were making food out of scraps left by soldiers. It’s pure brilliance. If you are a food snob, don’t even bother. This is all about cheap hotdogs, sausages, and ramen noodles. OMG we want some just talking about it. Songtan is also known for having the best budae jjigae in the country so it’s the perfect place to try it.
Where We Like to Eat It:
Budaejjigae
031-666-2768
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 쇼핑로 39-1
One of the best Budae jjigae restaurants anywhere. We are soldier stew addicts and this is our absolute favorite anywhere in Korea. Culture Note: Buddaejjige is also known as: Army stew, soldier stew, and base stew. The reason is that it is a fusion dish that uses ingredients that care from US military.
If you are in the Pyeongtaek area, make sure to check out our blog with eleven locations for you to enjoy the hearty budae jjigae.
KimchiRednecks show you how to make Budae Jjigae at home
Sundubu Jjigae 순두부찌개
We call this “Angry Care Bear clouds” in soup. It’s often super spicy but the soft tofu feels so comforting you’re not sure if you are in love or angry. Unbelievably awesome to eat in January and there is an especially fabulous version in Pyeongtaek not far from AK Plaza. If you are in a hurry though, this is a great dish to grab at any Korean lunch counter.
Where We Like to Eat It:
Grandmas Tofu
031-692-0939
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 자유로3번길 26
This is Korean home cooking at its finest. Amazing sundubujjigae and kimchi jjigae. Very affordable and close to AK Plaza. The side dishes here are very simple and well done. Nothing over done. Very classic.
KimchiRednecks show you how to make Sundubu Jjigae at home
Dakdoritang 닭도리탕/Dakbokkeumtang 닭볶음탕
Not exactly a soup or stew by Korean standards, but it is by ours so it makes the list. This dish can be hard to come by as it often has to be ordered ahead and is made for 3-4 people (also making it expensive on the menu). The chicken will simply melt in your mouth and the heat from this dish will keep you warm all day long. We love to go to a restaurant and order this on a weekend with friends. Especially if we have been playing outside in the cold.
Where We Like to Eat It:
Sa-Rang-Chae
031-663-8578
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 안골길 85-9
Traditional Korean Food in a beautiful setting. We think its some of the best home made, farm-to-table food in Korea.
Maangchi shows you how to make Dakbokkeumtang at home
Yukgaejang 육개장
This winter classic is filled with stewed beef and unique Korean vegetables. Known for being VERY spicy and hearty. The mountain ferns give the dish and unique earthy flavor that you will either love or hate. Once again, this is for those who love Korean food and unique flavors.
Where We Like to Eat It:
Ihwasoo
031-652-7117
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 평택5로20번길 39 타임스퀘어
If you want to try a spicy, hearty, beef soup made with mount fern, then start your yukgaejang adventure here. You can find a variety of options including yukgaejang with noodles. They also have non-spicy soups and bosam on the menu as well.
KimchiRednecks show you how to make Yukgaejang at home
Read more in our Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series
This series is a collaboration with Kimchi Rednecks. In 2020 they created the first blog in this series Online Resources for Learning to Cook Korean Food. These two love to have adventures in the kitchen and share the results with their community. Be sure to follow Kimchi Rednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea.
Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group
Share your adventures with the best spicy Korean stews/soups with our community at Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group. Join the South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly Pyeongtaek international residents makes moving to Pyeongtaek easier. With so many different voices and opinions, it is always refreshing to see everyone’s adventures in our local community. In addition, all of the posts shared introduce our community to new places and old places that can feel new all over again.
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