Korean Turnip Perilla Seed Stew
Quick answer
Sunmu deulkkae jjigae is a gentle Korean stew that simmers turnip with ground perilla seed in a kelp stock base.
What makes this special
- Sunmu-deulkkae-jjigae envelops naturally sweet turnips sautéed in sesame oil within a creamy perilla seed broth, complemented by the chew of oyster mushrooms.
- Turnip sautéed in sesame oil to draw out sweetness before kombu broth
- Three tablespoons of perilla powder cream the broth; cooked only 2 minutes to avoid bitterness
Key ingredients
Core cooking flow
- 1 Peel 250 g of turnip and cut it into 1 cm half-moons.
- 2 Warm 1 teaspoon of sesame oil in a pot over medium heat.
- 3 Pour in 650 ml of kelp stock and bring it to a boil over high heat.
Sunmu deulkkae jjigae is a gentle Korean stew that simmers turnip with ground perilla seed in a kelp stock base. As the turnip cooks slowly, it softens and releases a quiet natural sweetness, while the perilla powder thickens the broth into a creamy, nutty layer that coats each spoonful. Oyster mushrooms add a chewy bite and soft tofu contributes protein, rounding out the bowl into a balanced meal on its own. Adding the perilla powder late in the cooking process preserves its aroma, and the stew should be finished within two to three minutes of the broth returning to a boil to prevent any bitterness from developing. Seasoned with soup soy sauce and a drizzle of sesame oil at the end, the result is a clean, quietly satisfying stew that is easy on the stomach.
Instructions
Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.
- 1Prep
Peel 250 g of turnip and cut it into 1 cm half-moons.
Tear 120 g of oyster mushrooms along their grain, then cut 180 g of soft tofu into 2 cm pieces so they hold together in the stew.
- 2Control
Warm 1 teaspoon of sesame oil in a pot over medium heat.
Add the turnip and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, then stir for about 2 minutes until the turnip edges begin to look slightly translucent.
- 3Control
Pour in 650 ml of kelp stock and bring it to a boil over high heat.
Once it boils, lower to medium and simmer for 8 minutes, until the turnip turns more translucent and softens.
- 4Control
Add the oyster mushrooms and tofu, then season with 1 tablespoon of soup soy sauce.
Stir gently so the tofu does not break, and simmer for 4 more minutes until the mushrooms soften.
- 5Control
Mix 3 tablespoons of ground perilla seed with a little water first, making a smooth slurry.
Stir it into the broth over low heat and simmer gently for only 2 minutes to prevent lumps and bitterness.
- 6Finish
If the broth is too thick, loosen it with extra stock in 50 ml additions until it coats the spoon lightly.
Add half a green onion sliced on the diagonal, bring it briefly back to a boil, and serve immediately.
After the steps
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