Vegan Korean Spicy Beef Stew Yukgaejang 육개장 is traditionally made with tons of beef briskets and spicy red pepper flakes gochugaru. This delicious Yukgaejang recipe with mushrooms still has a meaty texture you crave while being keto-friendly, vegetarian, wholesome and plant-based!
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What Is Authentic Yukgaejang 육개장?
Yukgaejang is a Korean spicy beef soup. It is one of my favourite comfort Korean food to make on a cold day. The spicy soup instantly warms you up!
The main ingredient of this traditional Korean dish is beef brisket, beef flank steak, and beef stock.
Similarly, if you substitute chicken for beef, the soup is called Dakgaejang 닭개장.
This Korean spicy beef soup resembles a lot like the spicy tofu soup Sundubu Jjigae 순두부 찌개.
How To Make Vegan Mushroom Yukgaejang?
To turn this spicy Korean beef stew recipe vegan style, we use lots of mushrooms in place of beef. It is the perfect Korean Keto food!
Mushrooms have a nice earth flavor with lots of umami. It is a great way to enjoy that meaty texture while staying plant-based in this savoury broth.
I recommend using different types of mushrooms to add more complexity to flavour profiles. Feel free to add enoki mushrooms and king oyster mushrooms.
Since you do not need to boil and tenderize the beef meat, it does not take a lot of time to cook. In fact, spicy yukgaejang with mushrooms cooking time only requires 30 minutes.
Here are a couple kimchi-forward bowls I am genuinely obsessed with from the blog! Both these recipes are plant-based and vegan!
- Vegan Spicy Beef Stew (Yukgaejang) 육개장
- Vegan Green Apple Kimchi (No Fish Sauce)
- Korean Green Onion Salad
- Caramelized Kimchi Relish
- Kimchi Jjigae
Korean Spicy Beef Stew Ingredients and Substitutions
- Oyster Mushrooms
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Tofu
- Leaks
- Green onions
- Onion
- Gojuchang (Korean red pepper paste) or
- Gochugaru (Korean hot pepper flakes)
- Dark Soy Sauce
- Sesame Oil
- Garlic
- Vegetable Broth
- Kosher Salt
- Bok Choy (optional)
- Kimchi (optional)
- Mung Bean Sprouts (optional)
- Egg (add an egg for extra protein and to make this spicy beef stew vegetarian)
Where To Buy Buy Korean Red Chili Pepper Flakes
You can find Gojuchang (Korean red pepper paste) or
Gochugaru (Korean hot pepper flakes) at any Korean markets or Asian grocery stores.
How To Cook Spicy Korean Beef Stew
This vegan spicy tofu soup with mushrooms should become a household staple. The spicy and savoury broth is addictive. I recommend you make a big batch every time!
Add Gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) or Gojuchang (Korean red pepper paste), Dark Soy Sauce, and Sesame Oil in a small sauce bowl. Mix well. Set aside.
Use a sharp knife to carefully cut around the firm stem to remove the individual mushroom caps. Clean oyster mushrooms with the tip of a sharp knife.
Resuscitate shiitake mushrooms quickly by following the instructions HERE.
Slice mushrooms into bite-size pieces.
Wash and prep vegetables and aromatics such as leaks, green spring onions, onions and garlic cloves.
Separate the green and white parts of the leaks and green scallions. Use the white parts for cooking and the green parts for garnishing.
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add aromatics (leaks, lots of green onions, onions, and garlic).
Once you smell the aromatics become fragrant, stir in mushrooms to the large pot. Saute for a few minutes to elevate the natural mushroom flavours.
Add two cups of broth and 2 cups of cold water or boiling hot water to the stock pot.
Add the remaining ingredients, sliced tofu pieces, and seasoning sauce, and continue boiling for 20 minutes.
Salt and black pepper to taste.
Serve and enjoy with a bowl of rice and homemade kimchi.
What To Serve With Spicy Korean Beef Soup
Serve and enjoy with a bowl of rice and homemade kimchi.
- Padak Crispy Korean Fried Chicken 파닭
- Korean Green Onion Salad Pamuchim 파무침
- Korean Jolly Pong Cereal Latte 퐁크러쉬
- Bibimbap Rice Bowl 비빔밥
- Easy Caramelized Kimchi Recipe with Brown Butter
If you are a Korean food lover, I recommend adding this vegan mushroom Korean soup to your healthy meal prep for the week! It is low in carbs and packed with plant based proteins.
If there are enough reserved stock, I can quickly turn it into a Korean beef noodle soup by adding yam noodles or glass noodles.
One thing I love about Korean cooking is that it is even tastier the next day as leftovers. The flavours develop deeper overnight.
What To Serve With The Best Vegan Yukgaejang Korean Tofu Soup Recipe
Serve this traditional hearty korean soup with a savory broth any time you feel like comfort food. This soft tofu stew made without ground beef is a wholesome kimchi stew with a lot of depth of flavour.
Spicy food is the perfect way to beat summer heat. Your brain will tell your body to sweat to cool down! Kimchi is an excellent addition to a balanced diet and to improve gut health!
Did you make this Lazy Keto-Friendly Low Carb Korean Spicy Beef Stew Recipe? I'd love to see how you went with my recipes! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @INSTANOMSS #INSTANOMSS
PrintVegan Korean Spicy Beef Stew (Yukgaejang) 육개장
Vegan Korean Spicy Beef Stew Yukgaejang 육개장 is traditionally made with tons of beef briskets and spicy red pepper flakes gochugaru. This delicious Yukgaejang recipe with mushrooms still has a meaty texture you crave while being keto-friendly, vegetarian, wholesome and plant-based!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 persons 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Boil
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Korean Spicy Beef Stew
- 150g Oyster Mushrooms
- 150g Shiitake mushrooms
- 250g Medium Tofu or Firm Tofu, sliced
- 1 Leak
- 4 stalks Green onions (green and white parts separated; green parts finely chopped)
- 1 Medium Onion, quartered
- Garlic
- Vegetable Broth
- Kosher Salt
Spicy Korean Soup Seasoning Sauce
- 1 to 2 tablespoon Gojuchang (Korean red pepper paste) or
- Gochugaru (Korean hot pepper flakes), depending on heat preference
- 1 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
Optional
- Enoki Mushrooms
- King Oyster Mushrooms
- Bok Choy
- Kimchi
- Mung Bean Sprouts
- Egg (add an egg for extra protein and to make this spicy beef stew vegetarian)
- Fernbrake
- Yam Noodles
- Glass Noodles (sweet potato starch noodles)
- White Jasmine Rice
Instructions
- Add Gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) or Gojuchang (Korean red pepper paste), Dark Soy Sauce, and Sesame Oil in a small sauce bowl. Mix well. Set aside seasoning sauce.
- Use a sharp knife to carefully cut around the firm stem to remove the individual mushroom caps. Clean oyster mushrooms with the tip of a sharp knife.
- Resuscitate shiitake mushrooms quickly by following the instructions HERE.
- Slice mushrooms into bite-size pieces.
- Wash and prep vegetables and aromatics such as leaks, green spring onions, onions and garlic cloves.
- Separate the green and white parts of the leaks and green scallions. Use the white parts for cooking and the green parts for garnishing. Finely chop green onions.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add aromatics (leaks, lots of green onions, onions, and garlic).
- Once you smell the aromatics become fragrant, stir in mushrooms to the large pot. Saute for a few minutes to elevate the natural mushroom flavours.
- Add two cups of broth and 2 cups of cold water or boiling hot water to the stock pot.
- Add the remaining ingredients, sliced tofu pieces, and seasoning sauce, and continue boiling for 20 minutes.
- Salt and black pepper to taste.
- Garnish with finely chopped green onions.
- Serve and enjoy with a bowl of rice and homemade kimchi.
Notes
- I love to make this easy vegan Korean food for meal prep. If I have enough reserved stock, I can quickly turn it into a Korean beef noodle soup by adding yam noodles or glass noodles.
- One thing I love about Korean cooking is that it is even tastier the next day as leftovers. The flavours develop deeper overnight.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pot
- Calories: 203
- Sugar: 2.9 g
- Sodium: 517.8 mg
- Fat: 5.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 31.1 g
- Fiber: 3.5 g
- Protein: 9.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Korean, Mushroom, Soup, Gochugaru, Gojuchang, spicy beef stew, vegan, vegetarian, plantbased, Korean Recipe, tofu
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andrea says
this vegan beef stew turned out so good! the spicy flavor was perfect! so tasty!
★★★★★
Tavo says
Hey there! Just wanted to drop by and say that your Vegan Korean Spicy Beef Stew post blew me away! The combination of flavors in this dish is absolutely fantastic. From the tender "beef" substitute to the perfectly spiced broth, every spoonful is a delight. I truly appreciate your attention to detail and the way you've managed to capture the essence of traditional Korean cuisine while keeping it vegan-friendly. This recipe is a definite winner, and I'll be making it again and again. Thanks for sharing your culinary expertise with us!
★★★★★
Katie says
This vegan Korean spicy beef stew is incredible! Packed full of flavor, so comforting, and easy to make. I love making this during the week when I need easy comfort food!
★★★★★
andrea says
this vegan beef stew turned out amazing! so satisfying!
★★★★★
Jacqui says
This is such a fabulous recipe! One of my new favorites to make!
★★★★★
Holly says
Excellent! I love the king oyster mushrooms in this recipe!
★★★★★
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
A wonderfully spicy dish. Love it?
★★★★★
Nancy says
You can def make it as spicy as you like!
Audrey says
I love Korean recipes and the directions were very easy to follow.
★★★★★
Nancy says
Thanks Audrey! It was so tasty to whip up!
Julie says
This vegan Korean beef stew is so flavourful, I love the mushrooms.
★★★★★
Nancy says
I always add extra mushrooms! Super tasty and satisfying!
Beth says
With these busy holiday months coming up - I love that this recipe is on the table in 30 minutes! Quick, easy, and tasty!
★★★★★
Nancy says
Enjoy this warm and comfort bowl of soup! It is calling your name Beth
Keri says
We keep making this amazing stew, and love it every time.
★★★★★
Nancy says
Awesome! Thanks Keri!
Claudia Lamascolo says
What a delicious combination of flavors I will surely love this stew I have never seen that kind of oyster mushroom will have to look for them!
Nancy says
THanks Claudia! You should be able to find it at your local Asian Grocer or any major supermarkets!
Beth says
This sounds really good. I love all the flavors in this dish, and using tofu is a great idea. It'll just soak up all that goodness.
★★★★★
Nancy says
And an extra healthy dose of protein!
Janessa says
Such a great idea to use mushrooms for this recipe. This soup looks so comforting.
★★★★★
Nancy says
Sounds like you are a mushroom fan toO!
Keri says
This stew is incredible!
★★★★★
Nancy says
Thanks Keri!
Dana says
This is so hearty and tasty. The mushrooms make this so satisfying! Who needs meat, seriously!
★★★★★
Nancy says
It's a nice break from meat or a excellent replacer if you are vegan all together!
Choclette says
Lovely idea to use mushrooms rather than beef.
★★★★★
Nancy says
It's a great substitute it you are not feeling particularly into meats
Andrea says
love how easy this stew was to make! the flavoring was amazing!
★★★★★
Nancy says
Thanks! This spicy vegan beef stew recipe is really satisfying!
Shelby says
This is like the perfect thing for a cold! So comforting and with everything good. Plus the heat in it is perfect!
★★★★★
Michelle says
Love this vegan Korean spicy beef stew. It's the perfect meat free dinner.
★★★★★
Gus says
Loved how hearty this soup was, delicious!
★★★★★
Katie says
Love this recipe!
★★★★★
Josh says
I like that this recipe still has all those delicious flavors of spicy beef stew.
★★★★★
Cindy says
Love this vegan version!
★★★★★
Keri says
Loved this Korean beef stew that's been veganized. So wonderful!
★★★★★
Choclette says
I like the sound of the vegan mushroom version. Love Korean flavours so I know I'm going to love this.
★★★★★
Tavo says
Great stew; it really resembles beef, and the flavor was fantastic.
★★★★★
Ana says
I like that this recipe is low carb. Super flavorful and easy to make too.
★★★★★
Jacqui says
This recipe is simply genius! I love that it is vegan friendly and so wholesome. It makes a big batch feeding us for several days!
★★★★★
Nancy says
Totally! we always big batch this for meal prep!
Katie says
Such a perfect vegan stew! Full of flavor and easy to make!
★★★★★
Nancy says
Enjoy! So happy to hear!
ruth grindeland says
I love your vegan versions. I can't wait to try this recipe.
★★★★★
Nancy says
can't wait to see how it turnS out!
Emily says
This was SO good! I recently bought gochugaru so I'm glad I came across this delicious recipe! We loved the flavors and texture of the meaty mushrooms too! As you said, it's even better the next day!
★★★★★
Nancy says
Isn't gochugaru such a lovely spice? I love the smokiness!
Brianna says
Such a comforting stew, low the amount of spice.
★★★★★
Natalie says
I loved this soup. Me and my dad both enjoy a hot spycy soup that warms us up. I love it even during the hot days, thanks!
★★★★★
Lucas says
This recipe is soo comforting! I love the favour of it! Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
Nancy says
Thanks Lucas! It is a wonderful heart warming soup for sure!
Kayla DiMaggio says
This korean spicy beef stew was so delicious! I loved how easy it was to make!
★★★★★
Nancy says
It is totally a lazy way to cook while being totally packed with flavour!
Katie says
Love all the mushroom variety in this recipe!
★★★★★
Nancy says
can't go wrong with mushrooms!
Sue says
I love all the mushrooms in this!
★★★★★
Nancy says
me too!!
Rosanna says
This was delicious. Thank you so much for the recipe!
★★★★★
Nancy says
Thanks Rosanna! So happy that you liked it!
Nora says
This beef stew sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try it out! Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Nancy says
You will love it for sure!
Megs says
So easy and so much flavour! Thanks again for a recipe that everyone enjoys.
★★★★★
Nancy says
yay!! Easy meals for the whole family!
Andrea says
this stew is delicious! love how easy it is to make too!
★★★★★
Nancy says
high five to that!
Gina Abernathy says
A lovely beef stew recipe with wonderful ingredients.
★★★★★
Nancy says
Thanks Gina!
Jessica says
This sounds so delish!
★★★★★
Nancy says
just wait till you taste it!
Oscar says
Love that this is a vegan stew and those mushrooms sure give a lot of flavour. Great recipe.
★★★★★
Nancy says
All the different mushroom varieties makes it super packed with umami!
Crystal V Yentzen says
This is one of my favorite meals! I love to add bok choy and mung bean sprouts. Thanks so much for the recipe!
★★★★★
Nancy says
I love how they carry out all the soupy goodness too!
Alexandra says
I love mushrooms and the delicious flavours in this dish. So good to have such a hearty vegan option!
★★★★★
Nancy says
plenty of meaty bites!
Jan says
turned out so yummy!
★★★★★
Nancy says
isn't it wonderful?
Jane says
such a wholesome recipe, I love shiitake and this vegan beef stew is something I enjoy to make for dinner
★★★★★
Nancy says
so soothing and super easy to make! It almost makes itself!
Judith says
Such a tasty dish and so different from other vegan recipes I’ve tried. Will definitely make it again.
★★★★★
Nancy says
So happy you love it!
Nancy says
I had been looking for a vegan version for so long. Your recipe did not disappoint. It was a big hit and I will be making it again this weekend.
★★★★★
Nancy says
Thanks Nancy!! I'm so glad it lived up to your standards 🙂
Janice says
What a clever way to convert a beef recipe for a vegan diet. It looks amazing.
★★★★★
Nancy says
mushrooms are my go to for vegan recipes 🙂
Helen says
This sounds absolutely delicious! I am always a bit hesitant around Korean food because I don't eat meat, so I love that you've made this vegan while keeping all the delicious flavours.
Thanks for joining in with #CookBlogShare 🙂
★★★★★
Nancy says
I totally agree with you!! Sometimes, it gets really heavy. But this VEGAN version is amazing!! totally 100% plant based!
Jean says
it has the right spiciness and I'm glad its vegan. I love the texture of the mushroom in this recipe. Will have to make again this weekend.
★★★★★
Nancy says
How spicy to you go? I tried to limit myself if i know i will be serving it with kimchi too! 🙂
Andrea says
So wholesome and delicious! Love it!
★★★★★
Nancy says
I love it as leftovers too!
MyYellowApron says
I don’t eat beef but I’m sure I can substitute chicken for beef
Nancy says
you totally can sub for chicken and my vegan version uses mushrooms so it is 100% beef -free!
Peggy says
Thanks for such a clear, easy-to-follow recipe!
★★★★★
Nancy says
yay!! so happy to hear it turned out deliciously easy!