Authentic Korean Braised Chicken (Dakdoritang) Recipe
Authentic Dakdoritang is a classic Korean braised chicken dish featuring tender chicken drumsticks simmered in a flavorful, spicy sauce made with soy sauce, gochugaru, garlic, and ginger. It’s complemented by vegetables, chewy rice cakes, and glass noodles, making it a hearty and comforting meal perfect for sharing.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Broth
- 750g chicken drumsticks
- 700ml water
- 120ml soy sauce
- 2.5 tbsp sugar
- 1.5 tbsp minced garlic
- 0.5 tsp minced ginger
- 3 tbsp coarsely ground gochugaru
- 1 tbsp finely ground gochugaru
Vegetables & Other Ingredients
- 1 stalk Korean leek (or green onions), sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 0.5 carrot, sliced
- 3 Cheongyang chilies, sliced (optional)
Noodles and Rice Cakes
- 150g dangmyeon (glass noodles), soaked for 30 mins
- 150g tteokbokki rice cakes, rinsed
Garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Combine Chicken and Broth: In a large pot, combine the chicken drumsticks with water and soy sauce. Place over medium-high heat to start infusing the broth and cooking the chicken.
- Add Seasonings: Add sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, and both coarsely ground and finely ground gochugaru to the pot. These ingredients create the rich, spicy base for the braising liquid.
- Simmer the Chicken: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. Allow it to simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, letting the chicken cook through and absorb the flavors.
- Add Vegetables: Add chopped onion, sliced carrot, and optional Cheongyang chilies to the pot. These add sweetness, texture, and an extra layer of heat.
- Add Rice Cakes and Continue Simmering: Incorporate the rinsed tteokbokki rice cakes into the pot. Continue simmering for 5 to 7 minutes until the rice cakes soften.
- Add Noodles and Leek: Stir in the soaked dangmyeon (glass noodles) and sliced Korean leek. These ingredients absorb the sauce and add chewy texture and freshness.
- Final Cook and Thicken: Cook for an additional 3 minutes, allowing the noodles to soften fully and the sauce to thicken slightly, coating all ingredients.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds over the dish for a nutty finish. Serve the Dakdoritang hot for a delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- Soak the dangmyeon noodles in warm water for at least 30 minutes before adding to the pot for best texture.
- Cheongyang chilies add heat and are optional depending on your spice tolerance.
- Use Korean rice cakes (tteokbokki) for authentic texture; rinse them well before use to remove excess starch.
- Adjust gochugaru amounts to control the spiciness of the dish.
- Serving with steamed rice is recommended to balance the bold flavors and make it a complete meal.
Keywords: Dakdoritang, Korean braised chicken, spicy chicken stew, Korean comfort food, tteokbokki, dangmyeon, gochugaru chicken
