Korean Dictionary
How to say "Soft tofu stew" in Korean
“Soft tofu stew” in Korean is 순두부찌개 (pronounced "Sundubu jjigae").
순두부찌개
Sundubu jjigae
Usage & Context
A hearty Korean stew made with soft tofu, vegetables, and often seafood or meat in a spicy broth. Served bubbling hot in a stone pot with a raw egg cracked in. One of Korea's most popular comfort foods, especially during cold weather.
Example Sentence
추운 날에는 순두부찌개가 최고예요.
On cold days, sundubu jjigae is the best.
How to use 순두부찌개 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Soft tofu stew” is 순두부찌개, romanized as Sundubu jjigae.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 순두부찌개.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'soon-doo-boo jji-gae' — 'sun' rhymes with 'soon,' 'dubu' flows quickly, and 'jjigae' has a tensed 'jj' with 'gay' at the end.
More Example Sentences
ordering at a Korean restaurant
순두부찌개 매운맛으로 주세요.
I'll have the spicy soft tofu stew.
suggesting a winter meal
추운 날에는 순두부찌개가 최고예요.
On cold days, soft tofu stew is the best.
recommending a dish
해물 순두부찌개 먹어봤어요?
Have you tried seafood soft tofu stew?
Cultural Context
순두부찌개 is served bubbling hot in a stone pot called 뚝배기, with a raw egg cracked on top right before serving. It comes in different styles — 해물 (seafood), 김치 (kimchi), 소고기 (beef). It's ubiquitous at Korean lunch spots and especially popular among the Korean American community on the US West Coast.
Editorial note
We review entries like 순두부찌개 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
순두부찌개 하나 주세요.
One soft tofu stew, please.
안 맵게 해 주세요.
Please make it not spicy.
계란 풀어 드릴까요?
Shall I stir in the egg for you?
Related Expressions
순두부
sundubu
soft tofu
찌개
jjigae
stew
뚝배기
ttukbaegi
earthenware pot (for serving jjigae)
해물순두부
haemul sundubu
seafood soft tofu stew
Frequently asked questions
How do I correctly pronounce 순두부찌개 (Sundubu jjigae) in Korean?+
The pronunciation of 순두부찌개 (Sundubu jjigae) can be broken down. "순두부" (Sundubu) is pronounced "soon-doo-boo," with "soon" like "soon" in English, "doo" like "do," and "boo" like "boo." "찌개" (jjigae) is pronounced "jjih-gae," where "jjih" is a strong "j" sound followed by "eeh," and "gae" is like "gay" but shorter. Put together, it's "soon-doo-boo-jjih-gae."
What is 순두부찌개 (Sundubu jjigae) exactly, and what are its main ingredients?+
순두부찌개 (Sundubu jjigae) is a popular Korean soft tofu stew, known for its rich, spicy, and savory broth. The defining ingredient is "순두부" (sundubu), which is extra soft, uncurdled tofu. It typically includes various vegetables like mushrooms, onions, and often features seafood (like clams or shrimp) or meat (like beef or pork), all simmered together in a flavorful chili-based broth, usually served bubbling hot.
What's the difference between 순두부찌개 and other Korean stews like 김치찌개?+
The primary difference lies in the main ingredient. 순두부찌개 (Sundubu jjigae) centers around "순두부" (sundubu), a very soft, silken tofu, giving it a creamy texture. In contrast, 김치찌개 (Kimchi jjigae) uses ripened "김치" (kimchi) as its base, resulting in a distinctly sour and fermented flavor profile. While both are spicy Korean stews, the core flavor and texture experiences are quite different due to their star components.
How do I order 순두부찌개 (Sundubu jjigae) at a Korean restaurant?+
To order 순두부찌개 (Sundubu jjigae) at a Korean restaurant, you can simply say "순두부찌개 주세요" (Sundubu jjigae juseyo), which means "Please give me Sundubu jjigae." Many restaurants also offer different varieties, such as seafood (해물 Sundubu jjigae) or beef (소고기 Sundubu jjigae), so you might specify your preference. Don't forget to mention your spice level if asked, usually mild (순한 맛), medium (보통 맛), or spicy (매운 맛).
Is it common to add a raw egg to 순두부찌개 (Sundubu jjigae) and why?+
Yes, it is very common and traditional to crack a raw egg directly into the boiling hot 순두부찌개 (Sundubu jjigae) just before eating. The residual heat from the stew cooks the egg to a soft, custardy consistency. This addition not only enhances the flavor and richness but also slightly mellows the spiciness, adding a comforting creaminess that complements the soft tofu beautifully. It's a signature part of the experience.
More Food Words
Related Articles
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Soft tofu stew and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
