Kimchi Jjigae
Kimchi Stew
Yes, with a tweak: request NO rice cakes or glass noodles. About 10g net carbs per serving, on the higher side for Korean food, so watch the portion.
What it is
A quintessential Korean stew featuring aged, sour kimchi as its main ingredient, typically cooked with fatty pork or tuna, and soft tofu. It is known for its spicy, tangy, and deeply savory flavor.
Key ingredients
Aged kimchi, pork belly/shoulder or tuna, tofu, onion, scallions, garlic, gochugaru (chili powder). Sometimes includes rice cakes (tteok) or glass noodles (dangmyeon).
How to make it keto
Request NO rice cakes or glass noodles. Be aware that kimchi naturally contains added sugar during fermentation, and some restaurants might add more to balance its sourness; this is a trade-off to consider for the dish's flavor. Opt for restaurants known for less sweet kimchi.
Say this to the waiter (Korean)
김치찌개에 떡이랑 당면은 빼주세요. 김치에 단맛이 있는 건 괜찮은데, 따로 설탕은 넣지 말아주세요.
For Kimchi Jjigae, please omit rice cakes and glass noodles. I understand kimchi has some sugar, but please don't add more.
Watch out for
Kimchi itself contains added sugar. Rice cakes (tteok) and glass noodles (dangmyeon) are frequently added and are high-carb. Potential for additional hidden sugar in the stew base.
Macros are estimates for a typical serving and vary by restaurant. Confirm ingredients with staff, especially if you have allergies. Our ingredient lists are generated automatically and describe how a dish is typically made.
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