Jjimdak
Korean Braised Chicken
A hearty and flavorful Korean braised chicken dish, traditionally from Andong, featuring tender chicken, chewy glass noodles, and root vegetables in a savory-sweet soy-based sauce with a hint of spice.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken pieces(Bone-in, cut into 2-inch pieces (e.g., thighs, drumsticks, wings). Rinse and pat dry.)
- 100 g Glass noodles (dangmyeon)(Sweet potato starch noodles. Soak in warm water for 20 minutes until pliable, then drain.)
- 2 medium Potatoes(Peeled and cut into 1.5-inch cubes.)
- 1 medium Onion(Cut into wedges.)
- 1 medium Carrots(Peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks.)
- 4-5 dried Shiitake mushrooms(Rehydrated in warm water for 30 minutes, stems removed, caps sliced.)
- 5-6 cloves Garlic cloves(Peeled and smashed.)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(Peeled and thinly sliced.)
- 1/2 cup Soy sauce(Korean or Japanese soy sauce preferred.)
- 3 tbsp Brown sugar(Or dark brown sugar for deeper color and flavor.)
- 2 tbsp Mirin (rice wine)
- 1 tbsp Sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 2 cups Water
- 3-5 Dried red chilies (optional)(For a mild heat. Adjust to taste or omit for no spice.)
- 2-3 Scallions(For garnish, chopped.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the braising liquid: In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, sesame oil, and black pepper. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Sear the chicken: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. This step is optional but adds depth of flavor.
⏱️ 7 minutes - 3
Combine ingredients: Add the prepared braising liquid, water, potatoes, onion wedges, carrots, rehydrated shiitake mushrooms, smashed garlic cloves, sliced ginger, and dried red chilies (if using) to the pot with the chicken. Stir gently to combine.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Braise the chicken: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The chicken should be mostly cooked through and the potatoes should be starting to soften.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 5
Add noodles: Stir in the soaked and drained glass noodles. Ensure they are submerged in the liquid. Continue to simmer, uncovered, for another 10-15 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and have absorbed much of the sauce, and the chicken is fully cooked and tender. Stir more frequently during this stage to prevent noodles from sticking.
⏱️ 10-15 minutes - 6
Finish and serve: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed (more soy sauce for saltiness, more sugar for sweetness). The sauce should be rich and slightly thickened. Discard the dried chilies if you prefer less spice. Garnish generously with chopped scallions before serving hot.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can blanch the chicken pieces in boiling water for 1 minute before searing to remove impurities.
- ✓Glass noodles (dangmyeon) are key to Jjimdak; they absorb the savory sauce beautifully.
- ✓The balance of sweet, savory, and spicy is characteristic of Andong Jjimdak. Adjust sugar and chilies to your preference.
- ✓Ensure the pot is large enough to hold all ingredients comfortably and allow for even cooking.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms.
- For an extra spicy kick, add fresh or dried chilies to the braising liquid.
- Omit potatoes for a lighter version.