How to Make Korean Spicy Fish Stew (Maeuntang)

Maeuntang is one of Korea’s most beloved seafood dishes – a hearty, spicy fish stew that warms your soul and clears your sinuses!
This fiery red soup is a staple in Korean cuisine, traditionally made from fresh fish simmered in a rich, spicy broth that’s absolutely packed with flavor.

What makes this dish so special? Koreans often enjoy maeuntang after eating sashimi, using the leftover fish bones and head to create this incredible stew – talk about zero waste cooking!
For international food lovers, it’s known as “Korean Spicy Fish Stew,” and trust me, once you try this perfect balance of deep seafood flavors and that signature Korean heat, you’ll be hooked.

What You’ll Need for Perfect Maeuntang

Main Ingredients (Serves 4 people)

• 1 whole fish (sea bream, rockfish, cod, or sea bass work great)
• 1/3 large daikon radish
• 1 medium onion
• 1 bunch green onions (scallions)
• 1 handful crown daisy leaves (or spinach if you can’t find them)
• 2 Korean green chili peppers (or jalapeños)
• 1 block firm tofu

The Magic Sauce Mix

• 2 tablespoons Korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
• 1 tablespoon Korean chili paste (gochujang)
• 1 tablespoon soybean paste (doenjang)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Base Broth

• 1 large piece of kelp (dashima)
• 8-10 dried anchovies
• 6 cups water

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

• Step 1: Prep Your Fish
  Clean your fish thoroughly, removing the guts and gills. Give it a good rinse and cut it into chunky pieces. Don’t worry about being too precise – rustic is the way to go!
• Step 2: Build That Flavor Base
  In a large pot, add your kelp and dried anchovies to the water. Let it bubble away for 10-15 minutes to create a rich, umami-packed broth. This is where the magic starts!
• Step 3: Create the Spicy Sauce
  While your broth is brewing, mix together the red pepper flakes, chili paste, soybean paste, minced garlic, and soy sauce. This fiery red paste is what gives maeuntang its signature kick and color.
• Step 4: Add the Foundation
  Remove the kelp and anchovies from your broth, then add the chopped daikon radish. Let it cook for about 5 minutes until it starts to soften, then stir in your spicy sauce mixture. Watch as your broth transforms into that beautiful red color!
• Step 5: Fish Goes In
  Gently add your fish pieces to the bubbling broth. Let them simmer for about 10 minutes – this is when your kitchen will start smelling absolutely incredible.
• Step 6: Veggie Time
  Toss in the onion, tofu chunks, green chili peppers, and green onions. Let everything cook together for another 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still have some bite.
• Step 7: Perfect the Taste
  Give it a taste and adjust with salt and soy sauce as needed. Add a sprinkle of black pepper and those crown daisy leaves right at the end for a fresh finish.

Pro Tips for Next-Level Maeuntang

• Fish Selection Matters: White fish like cod or sea bass give you the cleanest, most refreshing broth. The fresher the fish, the better your stew will taste!
• Boost the Seafood Flavor: Feel free to throw in some clams, shrimp, or crab for an extra seafood punch. The more the merrier!
• Control the Heat: Not a fan of super spicy food? Just reduce the amount of green chili peppers. Love the burn? Add more gochugaru!
• The Next-Day Secret: Like many Korean stews, maeuntang actually tastes even better the next day after all the flavors have had time to meld together in the fridge.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with Maeuntang

This isn’t just any soup – it’s comfort food at its finest. Maeuntang represents everything beautiful about Korean cooking: it’s hearty, warming, packed with umami, and brings people together around the table.

The best part? Even if you’re new to Korean cooking, this recipe is totally doable. Just follow the basic steps, and you’ll have an authentic taste of Korea bubbling away in your own kitchen. Your friends and family are going to be absolutely amazed!

So grab your ingredients, put on your favorite K-drama, and get ready to create something truly special. This maeuntang is about to become your new go-to comfort food recipe!

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Please note: We do not encourage underage drinking. Enjoy responsibly.