Deonjang Jjigae

"Ddeonjang Jjigae 된장찌개"

The English spell seems very awkward, and there is not very adequate English translation  for this food, as this does not exist in any English speaking world. I may say this is 'fermented bean soup'.

Actually the taste is not very recommendable for foreigners. If you are very used to exotic food, and you like adventure, then you may try. So far I have not seen many foreigners like this food (even Chinese and Japanese).

Even Korean also says it smells like Athlete's socks found in the locker. And then we eat it. We says the more smells, the better tastes. :-)

However Ddeonjang Jjigae is a part of Korean culture. It is even older than Korean national staple food - "Kimchi". Kimchi is 500 years old but Ddeonjang is more than 1,500 years old. Most Korean loves this food, not at the high class restaurant, but usually at home.

Also this food is usually side dish or final dish at usual Korean BBQ restaurant. Those restaurant usually make it thin with several vegetable and sea food, so you may start with those Ddeonjang Jjigae.

However if you see so many bean grains in the soup, then you had better be careful as the soup will be thick and smelly.


Korean BBQ restaurant style. The soup is thin and the color is bright. Easy for foreigner's try.

Home style ddeonjjang. So many bean grains and I can smell above the monitor!