Jjimdak

Soy-Braised Chicken.

Written by Joe Wabe.

In the spring of 1999, Queen Elizabeth became the first head of state to visit Hahoe Village in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, as part of the celebration of her 73rd birthday. She also toured some Confucian schools and temples within the city, which are prominent cultural sites this metropolis is renowned for.

Andong, the largest city and capital of North Gyeongsang, is well recognized as a center of culture and folk traditions and the pioneering heart of Confucianism in Korea. Among its many titles that make this city a tourist and cultural hub, Andong is widely perceived as the birthplace of soy-braised chicken, or jjimdak (찜닭).

This popular, savory dish, which according to popular belief started at the Andong Old Market (안동구시장), is complex in flavor and has taken off among younger Koreans. It’s slightly salty but also sweet in terms of seasoning and, depending on individual taste, could also include spiciness in its description. A quick Naver search for “winter food” will put this soy-infused chicken in the top listings.

The addition of glass noodles allows you to eat it on its own without the need for extra side dishes, and merely an extra small bowl of steamed rice will give you the perfect balance you need.

Ingredients
(Serves 4)

1 whole chicken (cut in chunks)
3 big potatoes (cut in chunks)
1 onion (medium size)
1 carrot (cut in chunks)
Korean glass noodles (about 200 grams)
4 shiitake mushrooms
1 stalk of green onion
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon of minced ginger
1 teaspoon of roasted sesame seeds
3 teaspoons of soy sauce
2 teaspoons of cooking syrup
1/2 cup of Coca-Cola
1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
2 teaspoons of sesame oil
1 hot chili (if you want it spicy)

Preparation

In a pot, parboil the chicken for about seven minutes. Skim the fat and drain the water. In a clean pot, add the chicken, five cups of water, and all the ingredients except the noodles, mushrooms, green onion, and sesame seeds. Cover and let it cook for 15 minutes. Add the noodles, mushrooms, and green onion, and depending on how sweet or spicy you want it, you can either add more coke, or make it spicier with more chilies. Garnish it with sesame seeds and serve with white rice.

The Author
Joe Wabe is a Gwangju expat who has been contributing to the GIC and the Gwangju News for more than ten years with his work in photography and writing.