Today let’s learn about cooking yukgaejang 육개장 at home! Yukgaejang is a filling spicy beef soup that includes scallions and vegetables. This delicious soup is one you will want to make in large batches to have during the cold, winter day. About the South of Seoul “A Year to Learn Korean Cooking’ Series If you are familiar with this series, skip ahead to the goodness of Yukgaejang. Many of us live in South Korea for only a year. However, time flies past faster than we can imagine. At South of Seoul, we decided to create a simple series that will offer 2-4 dishes to learn each month so that when you leave South Korea you have a slew of new dishes you feel comfortable making anywhere. 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. About Yukgaejang Yukgaejang 육개장 is a delicious beef soup with a hit of spice that will comfort you in the cold winters and energize you in the summer. This spicy beef soup includes vegetables such as gosari 고사리 (also known as bracken fern or fernbrake), scallions 대파, sliced onion, dangmyeon noodles (noodles made from sweet potato), taro stems 토란대, mushrooms, and mung bean sprouts. You can choose to use all of those vegetables or if you had to choose only a few, we recommend not skipping the scallions and the gosari. Also, chili oil and sesame oil deepen the flavors in this soup. Some recipes will include recipes and instructions on how to make your own chili oil. However, if you choose not to make your own, you can find chili oil in many markets. The best chili and sesame oils for sale in South Korea are small press batches that tend to be found at traditional Korean markets. Many families make this soup in large batches to have for several days. Also, you may find that the flavor deepens after a day or two. This dish does take some time to make as you are building flavors, but the end result is definitely worth it. Buying Meat Cuts In Korea The beef in yukgaejang is usually a cut of brisket. However, if brisket is difficult to find or overly expensive, you can also use flank steak. Brisket is a great cut of meat for this dish as the tougher meat will soften as it cooks down in the broth and will be a perfect fall apart texture. When you do shopping for your meat cuts, remember that South Korea has its own type of meat cuts and different names for the meat cuts. You may not be able to recognize brisket visually in its packaging. Such differences mean that you may need an image to show the butcher so you can point to where on the animal the meat comes from. If you need help we recommend the following resources: Yukgaejang v Dakgaejang Please note, if you decide to use chicken instead of beef, the dish is referred to as dakgaejang 닭개장. Biggest Hurdle in Cooking Yukgaejang The dried gosari and taro stems can be difficult to locate and cannot be replaced with other ingredients. These both gave a unique chewy texture to the dish. Also, if you get the dried versions, you will need to rehydrate them prior to cooking. The gosari provides a deep, earthy flavor that helps to make the dish even more fabulous. Yukgaejang is not a quick dish to make in general, as you are building flavors. However, if you want to make it quickly, we included a quick version in the YouTube videos below from Chef Baek Jong-won (Chef Paik). First Experience With Yukgaejang I admit that I lived in Korea for many years before I ever tried Yukgaejang. However, this dish is one that Chuck has ordered many times over the years. The reason I decided to make this soup was that he loves this dish so much. During the first few years that we lived here, I was afraid to try it because it is “spicy” beef soup and I didn’t want to eat something too spicy. However, when I finally tried it, I was surprised at what a delicious and flavorful soup this is. Also, I realized that over the years I have been in Korea, my spice level has increased quite a bit. That being said, if you are cooking your yukgaejang, just remember that you control the heat level. So, add your gochugaru to your own level of comfort. Three Recommended Cooking Yukgaejang Videos to Watch Check out these three videos for recipes on how to cook yukgaejang at home. You may decide to take several recipes and mash them up into your own version like we did. Or try one of the great recipes out there to make this tasty soup. Korean American Cooking Yukgaejang Korean Cooking Yukgaejang American in Korea Cooking Yukgaejang Let Us Know How It Turns Out When you make yukgaejang for the first time at home, be sure to leave a comment and let us know how it turned out! Also, if you live in Pyeongtaek, you can even share your success (or failure) with us in the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook group. If you are looking for other dishes (Korean or otherwise) or reviews of restaurants, be sure to check out the KimchiRednecks channel or check out our social media accounts on Facebook or Instagram, where we often share what we are cooking or eating. Read more in our Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series KimchiRednecksAbout Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com

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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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content.

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