Hearty Soy Sauce Chicken Stew (닭도리탕 Dak doritang)

Korean Chicken Stew (닭도리탕 Dakdoritang)

I am sure you can agree that great recipes are the ones that are easy and tasty all at the same time. But unfortunately there is not a whole lot of them. But I am happy to report that this recipe is one of those!  This recipe is based on a blog post by a Korean blogger who wrote about how she learned it from her Grandma. But she did not have any measurements! Just a list of ingredients. I guess Grandma is not used to using Tablespoons and Cups.. Oh well..that’s where I come in I guess.

So, this Dak doritang(Korean soy sauce chicken stew – also called Dakbokkeumtang) recipe was so easy to make, it actually made me nervous the first time I made it. Is that it? That’s all the ingredients? Don’t I need to add other seasonings?? But having a new found respect for Gook Kanjang/Guk Kanjang/Kuk Ganjang during my stay in Korea, I decided to go with it. I simply had to trust that it will do its magic.

Anyway,  I am glad I stuck to it. The taste of the chicken stew may not throw a big punch in your first bite like many restaurant versions but the more you eat it, the more you are tasting the true hearty, simple taste of Korean food at home. Take a spoonful of the warm stew broth along with some potato and you will see what I mean. Happiness all the way from your mouth to your tummy. :)

I tried making this Korean chicken stew (Dak doritang) several times over the years because it is another one of my favorite dishes from my childhood.  But I was never totally happy with it. It just did not taste the same as the one I tasted at home when I was a kid. The one I remember was not red nor spicy and yet so flavorful and delicious – not like the overly spicy, red dak doritang(닭도리탕) /dak bokkeumtang (닭볶음탕) that is commonly served today.

It’s not like I am against red, spicy dishes but sometimes, even as a Korean, I get tired of eating dishes that kind of taste the same – spicy, sweet and salty all at the same time.  Sometimes the seasoning is so strong, you can hardly tell what the main ingredient is. But this dish is not like that. If you have never tried Korean food before, along with Bulgogi and Kalbi, this will be a great dish to try as your first dish.

Let’s get cooking then –

Servings 6             Time: Prep 5 min  Cook 45 min          Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients for Korean Soy Sauce Chicken Stew (Dak doritang)

• 2 lb (1 kg) chicken pcs with bone
• 3 medium carrots (I used colored carrots)
• 8~9 small colored potatoes
• 3~6 fresh Korean green chili peppers or 2~3 dried red chili pepper
• 1 large onion
• 1 T chopped garlic
• 5 T guk kanjang
• 1~2 T mirin or white wine
• 1 T jin kanjang (dark soy sauce)
• 4 C water
• dash x 5 black pepper

chicken for dak doritang

• Prepare chicken by removing excess fat and most of the skin. I bought a whole chicken and cut into pieces but you can buy whatever pieces you like. But try to buy some with bones so your broth will taste yummy. Score big and thick pieces like thigh, drumstick and breasts so the flavor will get into the meat.

  Chicken with soy sauce

• Add chicken to stew pot and add 5 T Gook Kanjang + 1 T Jin Kanjang. Mix it well.

  Chicken in pot with water for Dak doritang

• Add 4 C of water and 1 T garlic. Bring to boil.  Cover and cook for 15 min on medium high heat.

  Vegetables for Korean chicken stew (Dak doritang 닭도리탕)

• Meanwhile, wash and clean potatoes, carrots, onion and green chili peppers. Cut into big chunks because they will be cooked for a long time. I used small colored potatoes so I didn’t cut or peel them. But if using large potatoes like russet, peel and cut. Take the stem off of chili peppers.

  Chicken with vegetables for Dak doritang

• Add the beautiful carrots and potatoes to the pot. Lower heat to medium and cook for 20 min.

  Boiling Dak toritang (Korean Chicken stew with soy sauce)

• Add the green chilis and about 5 dashes of black pepper (1/8 tsp). Raise heat back to medium high and cover, cook for 10 min more to infuse the chili flavor into the stew.

  Dak doritang (Korean Chicken Stew)

• Now we are ready to eat! Just get a bowl of rice and some kimchi and you will have a very hearty and happy meal. Enjoy!!