The ever famous Korean beef stew is obviously a Korean dish but Filipinos also loved this dish. I’ve heard this is a popular dish served in House of Kimchi. I’m not very fond of Korean dish but this one is an exception. This beef stew recipe I have here is not very spicy unlike the original Korean beef stew but I’m sure you are going to like it. There is an option if you really want to speed up your cooking. Buy a Mc Cormick Korean beef stew mix but it might not as tasty as the well prepared dish.
A Delicious Twist: Korean Beef Stew Recipe for All Palates
Korean cuisine has gained immense popularity worldwide, and one dish that stands out is the Korean Beef Stew. While traditionally a Korean specialty, this flavorful dish has also captured the hearts of Filipinos. Today, I’m excited to share with you a modified version of this delectable stew that offers a milder taste. Whether you’re an avid fan of Korean cuisine or a beginner looking to explore new flavors, this recipe is sure to satisfy your taste buds. So, let’s dive into the world of Korean Beef Stew!
Sauteing the Aromatics
To infuse the stew with rich flavors, start by sautéing garlic cloves until they turn golden brown and release their irresistible aroma. This step adds a delightful depth of flavor to the dish. Once the garlic is toasted to perfection, set it aside for later use.
Building the Base
In the same skillet, sauté onions until they become wilted and translucent. The onions provide a sweet and savory base for the stew, enhancing its overall taste. This step sets the foundation for the flavors to develop and meld together.
Adding the Beef
Once the onions are cooked, it’s time to add the star of the show – the beef. If you want to save time, consider precooking the beef in a pressure cooker until it reaches the desired tenderness. This technique significantly reduces the overall cooking time without compromising the deliciousness of the dish. Stir-fry the beef until it turns brown, imparting a lovely caramelized flavor to the stew.
Creating the Flavorful Broth
Pour soy sauce and beef stock into the skillet, ensuring that there’s enough liquid to cover the beef. If you prefer using water instead of beef stock, simply add beef bouillon cubes to intensify the flavor. To add a subtle touch of warmth, include star anise and a sprinkle of sugar. Allow the stew to come to a boil and then let it simmer for approximately an hour, or until the beef reaches a tender and melt-in-your-mouth texture. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to infuse and develop fully.
Adding the Finishing Touches
While the stew simmers, it’s time to prepare the finishing touches that will elevate the dish to new heights. Start by toasting sesame seeds in an empty skillet until they turn slightly brown. Remember to mix them with a spatula while toasting to ensure an even color. Be cautious not to burn the seeds, as they can quickly go from beautifully golden to bitter. Once toasted, set them aside.
Next, incorporate the toasted sesame seeds, spring onions, toasted garlic, sesame oil, and green chilies into the stew. Simmer the stew for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend harmoniously. To add a final burst of umami, season the stew with patis (fish sauce) and black pepper. Adjust the seasonings according to your taste preferences.
Wrap-Up
Congratulations! You’ve successfully embarked on a culinary adventure into the world of Korean Beef Stew. With its enticing aromas, robust flavors, and tender beef, this dish is bound to become a favorite in your household. Whether you’re enjoying it on a cozy evening or impressing guests at a dinner party, this modified Korean Beef Stew will leave everyone craving for more. So, gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and get ready to indulge in a bowl of hearty and satisfying Korean-inspired goodness.
How to Cook Korean Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 1 kilo beef short ribs or beef briskets cut into serving pieces
- 1 whole garlic minced
- 1 piece medium size red onion minced
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 4 cups water or beef stock
- 3 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 3 tsp sesame oil
- 3 pieces green chilies or siling haba sliced into strips (optional)
- 1 tsp black pepper ground
- 1 whole piece of star anise
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 piece beef bouillon just in case you use water instead of beef stock
- 5 stalks of spring onion chopped
- patis or fish sauce
- cooking oil
Instructions
How to cook Korean Beef Stew:
- Heat oil in a deep skillet and saute garlic until brown and toasted. Remove garlic from pan and set aside.
- If you want to shorten the cooking time, precook the beef in the pressure cooker until almost tender.
- Then use the beef broth as beef stock in cooking the beef stew instead of using water and beef bouillon cubes.
- In the same pan, saute onion until wilted then add the beef and stir fry until brown.
- Pour the soy sauce and beef stock just enough to cover the beef. If you will use water instead of beef stock, add beef bouillon cube.
- Add in the star anise and sugar and bring to a boil for an hour or until beef is very tender.
- In the meantime, heat an empty skillet and toast the sesame seeds until slightly brown.
- Mix with a spatula while toasting so it will be even, just prevent it from burning and turning it like black peppercorns.
- Add the toasted sesame seeds, spring onions, toasted garlic, sesame oil, green chilies and simmer for additional 5 minutes.
- Season with patis and black pepper and adjust the taste according to your taste buds. Serve hot.
Video
Notes
Cooking Tips for Korean Beef Stew:
- Precooking the beef: To save time and ensure tender meat, consider precooking the beef in a pressure cooker until it is almost tender before adding it to the stew. This will significantly reduce the overall cooking time while maintaining the delicious texture.
- Toasting sesame seeds: When toasting sesame seeds for garnishing, be sure to keep a close eye on them to prevent burning. Stir them continuously in a dry skillet over medium heat until they turn a light golden brown. This process enhances their nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the stew.
- Adjusting seasonings: Korean beef stew offers a balance of flavors, but it's important to tailor them to your taste preferences. Taste the stew as it simmers and adjust the seasoning accordingly. Add more soy sauce for a saltier taste, a touch of sugar for sweetness, or even a bit of spice if you prefer a hint of heat. Personalizing the seasonings will ensure the stew suits your palate perfectly.
Correction: In some of the comments below, star ratings were mistakenly included. These have now been removed for transparency. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.
If I use a pressure cooker, should I adjust qty of water or beef broth?
Hi Michael, I think you should adjust the amount of water but not sure how much.
Hi Isabel, oops I forgot to include it the instructions but I corrected it already. It’s optional anyway.
Hello. When to use the green chili? Thanks.
Hi Sergio, sorry for that mistake. I corrected the recipe already and thanks for your feedback.
What will i do with the sesame oil, when to use or mix to the procedure? Thanks.
Instead of Beef, Can the same recipe be used in same amount of pork and or chicken? or do I have to adjust all the ingredients? do you have any suggestions?
Hi Dagg,
I don’t see any problem regarding the amount of pork or chicken you will use. If the recipe says one kilo of beef, I think the same amount can be used in chicken or pork. What I’m not sure is the taste. Beef is the best for cooking Korean beef stew.
I was craving for a Kimchi (a fastfood chain’s name) version of beef stew this morning since its my favorite. However, instead of going to the store to order a take out, i tried cooking it myself using the recipe here with a few modifications due to some missing ingredients. Eureka! This worked for me. Tastes like the one I always order. And Rob, the fish sauce worked like a charm. Just season it according to your taste. Me, I just added a tablespoon of it. Also, I used cured beef (tapa), which greatly improved the taste. Well, that’s because its all I can pull out in the freezer too.
“Fish sauce, and its derivatives, impart an umami flavor to food due to their glutamate content.” (source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_sauce)
Also, let me add some more info, there is a fermented fish sauce called “bagoong isda” usually colored brownish gray composed of fermented fish, salt and water. The fermented fish sauce I was referring to on most of the recipes here is “patis”, usually colored crystal brown and the fish is filtered. Only the fish essence, water and salt composed the “patis”.
Why?
What kind of a fool puts rotten fish sauce on beef?
@rob asbury
Most Asian and SouthEast Asian cuisines use fermented fish sauce. Fish sauce is like MSG that gives more flavor to dishes than using plain salt.