Dakbokkeumtang (Korean Braised Spicy Chicken)
KOENKoreanMain course⏱ 55 minEdit history

Dakbokkeumtang (Korean Braised Spicy Chicken)

Korean braised spicy chicken — chicken, potato, and carrot simmered in a sweet-spicy gochujang and chili sauce. The potatoes turn fluffy in the kalkalhan sauce, and glass noodles make it heartier. A hearty one-pot for the whole table.

Ingredients

4servings
  • Chicken, cut up · ~1kg, in bite-size pieces1 whole
  • Potatoes · in big chunks2 each
  • Carrot1 each
  • Onion1 each
  • Green onion1 stalk
  • Cheongyang chili · to taste2 each
  • Glass noodles · optional, soaked1 handful
  • Water500 ml
  • Seasoning paste
  • Gochugaru (chili flakes)3 tbsp
  • Gochujang1 tbsp
  • Soy sauce4 tbsp
  • Sugar / corn syrup1 tbsp
  • Minced garlic1 tbsp
  • Minced ginger0.5 tsp
  • Cooking wine2 tbsp
  • Black pepper0.25 tsp

Steps

  1. Blanch the chicken in boiling water 1-2 minutes to remove fat and off-smells, then rinse.

    ⏲ 3 min
  2. Mix all the seasoning paste ingredients.

    ⏲ 2 min
  3. Add the chicken, water, and half the paste to a pot; boil hard, then lower to medium and cook 10 minutes.

    ⏲ 10 min
  4. Add the potato, carrot, onion, and the rest of the paste; braise 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender.

    ⏲ 20 min
  5. Add the soaked glass noodles, green onion, and chili; simmer 5 more minutes until the sauce reduces.

    ⏲ 5 min
  6. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve. Great mixed into rice.

Tips & Variations

Variations

  • Brothy version: Use more water for a soupier, kalkalhan dish.
  • Jjimdak style: Less chili, more soy for a sweet-savory braise (Andong jjimdak vibe).
  • With rice cakes: Add tteok for an even heartier pot.
  • Cheese finish: Melt mozzarella on top to tame the heat.

Tips

  • Blanch the chicken first for a clean sauce with no gaminess.
  • Add the paste in two stages — half early, half later — so the chicken absorbs it and the vegetables taste good too.
  • Cut the potatoes big; small ones disintegrate. Soft, sauce-soaked potato is the best part.
  • Adjust sweetness with corn syrup/sugar and heat with chili and gochugaru.
  • Add the glass noodles last so they stay springy.

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