By Honorary Reporter Myrtle Iris S. Villaraza from Philippines

Photo = Myrtle Iris S. Villaraza

The COVID-19 pandemic has made ready-to-cook food more popular in the Philippines, and this includes Korean items like precooked samgyeopsal packs.

I recently learned that a Korean grocery store near my home offers affordable packs of pre-made soft tofu stew (sundubu jjigae). Each pack is 150 PHP or USD 3 and serves two to three people, so I ordered one to try it.

The pack contained tofu, enoki mushrooms, green onions and paste for the soup base. Judging by its color and aroma and based on recipes of sundubu jjigae that I read online, I knew that the ready-made paste contained Korean chili flakes and sesame oil.

I couldn't take a photo of the pack I received, so I sketched it instead.

I cooked the stew according to the instructions from the grocery store staff.

First, dissolve the paste in 1/2 a cup of water. Next, add the tofu and mushrooms and boil for five minutes, and add salt to taste. Add an egg (optional) one minute before turning off the heat.

Finally, top the stew with chopped green onions.

I loved the finished product. The delicious stew was thick and flavorful with just the right levels of saltiness and spiciness, plus an extremely appetizing aroma.

I eventually want to learn how to make sundubu jjigae from scratch, but will definitely get a ready-to-cook pack again. I also want to try more ready-to-cook Korean dishes.

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.