I Only Made Korean Food For 24 Hours

I Only Made Korean Food For 24 Hours is a hard Korean recipe that serves 4. 2500 calories per serving. Recipe by About To Eat on YouTube.

Prep: 3 hrs 30 min | Cook: 2 hrs 45 min | Total: 6 hrs 36 min

Cost: $95.13 total, $23.78 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Short-Grain Korean Rice (mix of white short‑grain and purple rice)
  • 300 g Beef Brisket (thinly sliced)
  • 200 g Firm Tofu (medium‑firm, cubed)
  • 1 medium Sweet Potato (peeled and diced)
  • 7 cloves Garlic (minced; 4 for stew, 1 for anchovies, 2 for chicken sauce)
  • 2 medium Onion (one for stew, one for jajangmyeon, plus extra for omelet)
  • 6 stalks Scallions (chopped; some for oil, some for garnish)
  • 2 small Jalapeño (thinly sliced; one for stew, one for omelet)
  • 2 tablespoons Korean Soybean Paste (Doenjang) (fermented soybean paste)
  • 2 tablespoons Gochujang (Hot) (Korean red‑pepper paste, spicy version)
  • 2 teaspoons Sesame Oil (for finishing stew and anchovies)
  • 3 teaspoons Sesame Seeds (to garnish stew and anchovies)
  • 0.5 cup Dried Anchovies (whole, cleaned)
  • 3 tablespoons Soy Sauce (regular, low sodium preferred)
  • 2 teaspoons Sugar (for anchovies sauce)
  • 6 cups Water (for stew and anchovies sauce)
  • 4 large Eggs (beaten for rolled omelet)
  • 0.25 teaspoon White Pepper (for omelet seasoning)
  • 2 teaspoons Salt (general seasoning)
  • 0.25 cup Red Bell Pepper (diced)
  • 0.25 cup Green Bell Pepper (diced)
  • 200 g Pork Belly (cut into bite‑size pieces)
  • 1 small Zucchini (cut into strips)
  • 1 medium Potato (peeled and cubed)
  • 1 cup Cabbage (shredded)
  • 100 g Seafood Mix (shrimp and squid, thawed)
  • 3 tablespoons Black Bean Paste (Chunjang) (fermented black bean sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil (for scallion oil and sautéing)
  • 2 tablespoons Potato Starch (1 tbsp for jajang slurry, 1 cup for chicken coating)
  • 300 g Jajangmyeon Noodles (thick chewy Korean wheat noodles)
  • 1000 g Chicken Wings (whole wings, skin on)
  • 1 cup Sweet Potato Starch (for coating chicken)
  • 2 tablespoons Rice Syrup (Korean barley or rice syrup)
  • 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon White Vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard (Korean mustard or Dijon)
  • 1 teaspoon Ginger (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon Chili Flakes
  • 0.25 cup Peanuts (unsalted, roasted)
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (for donut dough)
  • 1 teaspoon Active Dry Yeast
  • 0.75 cup Milk (warm (about 110°F))
  • 2 tablespoons Butter (unsalted, melted)
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon (plus extra for coating)
  • 1 cup Oil for Frying (vegetable oil for donuts (reuse from chicken fry))
  • 0.25 cup Sugar (coating) (mixed with cinnamon for donut topping)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Multi‑Grain Rice

    Rinse the short‑grain white rice and purple rice together until water runs clear. Drain and add 2 cups of rice with 2 ½ cups water to a rice cooker; start cooking.

    Time: PT10M

  2. Slice Beef and Mince Garlic

    Thinly slice the beef brisket against the grain. Peel and mince 4 cloves of garlic.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Sear Beef in Earthenware Pot

    Heat the earthenware pot over medium‑high heat, add a splash of oil, then add the sliced beef and minced garlic. Stir‑fry until beef is lightly browned, about 3 minutes.

    Time: PT3M

    Temperature: Medium‑high

  4. Add Water and Simmer

    Pour 4 cups water into the pot, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and let cook 10 minutes.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: Simmer

  5. Prep Vegetables for Stew

    Dice sweet potato, slice onion, chop scallions, and thinly slice jalapeño.

    Time: PT5M

  6. Add Paste and Gochujang

    Stir in 2 Tbsp doenjang, 1 Tbsp gochujang, and the prepared vegetables. Simmer 8 minutes until vegetables are tender.

    Time: PT8M

    Temperature: Simmer

  7. Finish Stew

    Add cubed tofu, drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil, sprinkle 1 tsp sesame seeds, and turn off heat. Let sit covered for 2 minutes.

    Time: PT2M

  8. Stir‑Fried Dried Anchovies

    In a small bowl mix 1 tsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 2 Tbsp water, 1 clove minced garlic. Heat a skillet, add anchovies, quickly coat with sauce, stir‑fry 2 minutes, then drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil and sprinkle 1 tsp sesame seeds.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Medium

  9. Prepare Rolled Omelet Ingredients

    Dice red bell pepper, green bell pepper, onion. Slice remaining scallion and jalapeño. Beat 4 eggs with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp white pepper.

    Time: PT5M

  10. Cook Rolled Omelet

    Heat a non‑stick pan with a little oil, pour half the egg mixture, swirl to coat. Add a handful of diced veggies, tofu cubes, scallion, jalapeño. When set, gently roll the omelet, slide to side, repeat with remaining egg.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: Medium

  11. Make Scallion Oil for Jajangmyeon

    Thinly slice 2 scallions. Heat 2 Tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium heat, add scallions, fry until dark brown and crisp. Remove and set aside; keep oil.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Medium

  12. Fry Black Bean Paste

    Add 3 Tbsp chunjang to the scallion‑infused oil, stir‑fry 2 minutes to remove bitterness and develop aroma.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: Medium

  13. Prep Pork Belly and Vegetables

    Cut pork belly into bite‑size pieces. Slice zucchini, onion, potato, shred cabbage.

    Time: PT10M

  14. Crisp Pork Belly

    Add pork belly to the wok, fry over medium‑high until golden and crispy, about 8 minutes.

    Time: PT8M

    Temperature: Medium‑high

  15. Add Vegetables and Simmer

    Add zucchini, onion, potato, cabbage, and seafood mix. Stir‑cook 3 minutes, then add ½ cup water, cover, simmer 7‑8 minutes until vegetables are tender.

    Time: PT8M

    Temperature: Simmer

  16. Thicken Sauce

    Mix 1 Tbsp potato starch with 2 Tbsp cold water, pour into wok, stir until sauce coats the back of a spoon.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: Medium

  17. Cook Noodles

    Boil a pot of water, add 300 g jajangmyeon noodles, cook according to package (≈5 minutes). Drain and rinse briefly under cold water.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Boiling

  18. Combine Noodles and Sauce

    Add cooked noodles to the wok, drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil, toss to coat evenly. Transfer to serving bowls.

    Time: PT2M

  19. Season Chicken Wings

    Pat dry 1 kg chicken wings, toss with 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper.

    Time: PT5M

  20. Coat Wings in Sweet Potato Starch

    Place wings in a ziplock bag, add 1 cup sweet potato starch, seal and shake until evenly coated.

    Time: PT3M

  21. First Fry (Oil Bath)

    Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F. Fry wings in batches for 4 minutes until just set, then remove to paper towels.

    Time: PT8M

    Temperature: 350°F

  22. Second Fry for Extra Crispness

    Raise oil temperature to 375°F, fry wings again 2‑3 minutes until golden‑brown and crispy. Drain.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: 375°F

  23. Prepare Sauce

    In a saucepan combine 2 Tbsp rice syrup, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 Tbsp white vinegar, 1 tsp mustard, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp minced ginger, 1 tsp chili flakes. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce to a simmer 5 minutes until slightly thick.

    Time: PT7M

    Temperature: Simmer

  24. Toss Chicken in Sauce

    Add the double‑fried wings to the sauce, toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle 1 tsp sesame seeds and 1 tsp toasted peanuts.

    Time: PT3M

  25. Activate Yeast for Donuts

    In a bowl combine warm milk (110°F), 2 Tbsp melted butter, 2 Tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp active dry yeast. Stir, let sit 10 minutes until frothy.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: 110°F

  26. Make Dough

    Add 2 cups flour, 1 large egg, ½ tsp salt to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.

    Time: PT5M

  27. Knead and First Rise

    Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface, knead 5 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, let rise 1.5 hours until doubled.

    Time: PT1H30M

  28. Deflate and Second Knead

    Punch down dough, knead briefly 2 minutes to release air.

    Time: PT2M

  29. Divide and Shape Twists

    Divide dough into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope (~8 inches), then twist one end over the other to form a knot.

    Time: PT10M

  30. Proof Twists

    Place twisted pieces on a parchment sheet, cover loosely, let proof 30 minutes until puffed.

    Time: PT30M

  31. Fry Donut Twists

    Heat oil (reuse from chicken) to 350°F. Fry twists in batches 2‑3 minutes until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: 350°F

  32. Cinnamon‑Sugar Coating

    Mix 0.25 cup sugar with 1 tsp cinnamon. While donuts are still warm, toss them in the mixture until fully coated.

    Time: PT3M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
2500
Protein
80 g
Carbohydrates
260 g
Fat
110 g
Fiber
20 g

Dietary info: Contains meat, Contains dairy, Contains gluten, Contains soy, Contains nuts, Contains shellfish

Allergens: Egg, Milk, Soy, Gluten, Peanuts, Shellfish

Last updated: April 17, 2026

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I Only Made Korean Food For 24 Hours

Recipe by About To Eat

A full day of Korean comfort food inspired by the book of Mongshi. Includes a hearty soybean‑paste stew with multi‑grain rice and two banchan side dishes for breakfast, classic black‑bean noodle dish (jajangmyeon) for lunch, ultra‑crispy Korean fried chicken with sweet‑tangy sauce for dinner, and fluffy cinnamon‑sugar twisted donuts (kkwabaegi) for dessert.

HardKoreanServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
3h 10m
Prep
1h 41m
Cook
35m
Cleanup
5h 26m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$95.13
Total cost
$23.78
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Searing beef in the earthenware pot to develop flavor
  • Keeping anchovies crispy by quick coating
  • Double‑frying chicken wings for ultimate crunch
  • Frying black bean paste to remove bitterness
  • Proofing donut dough properly for fluffy interior

Safety Warnings

  • Hot oil for deep frying can cause severe burns; use a thermometer and keep a lid nearby.
  • Raw chicken must be handled with clean hands and surfaces to avoid cross‑contamination.
  • Earthenware pot becomes extremely hot; use oven mitts when handling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Doenjang Jjigae in Korean cuisine?

A

Doenjang Jjigae is a staple Korean stew made from fermented soybean paste, dating back centuries as a cornerstone of Korean home cooking. It embodies the Korean tradition of using fermented foods for flavor and nutrition, often served with rice and banchan at every meal.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of Jajangmyeon in Korean cuisine?

A

Jajangmyeon originated in Incheon among Chinese immigrants and has regional twists: the Seoul style uses pork belly and more vegetables, while the Busan version adds seafood and a thicker black bean sauce. The recipe in this video follows the deluxe Seoul‑style with pork, seafood, and a rich sauce.

cultural
Q

How is Korean Fried Chicken traditionally served in Korea and what is its cultural role?

A

Korean Fried Chicken, known as "chimaek" when paired with beer, is a popular anju (food served with alcohol) and a comfort food for gatherings. It is typically served hot, coated in a sweet‑spicy glaze, with pickled radish and a cold drink, embodying the social dining culture of Korea.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is Kkwabaegi traditionally associated with in Korean culture?

A

Kkwabaegi, the twisted cinnamon‑sugar donut, is a beloved street‑food snack often enjoyed after school, during festivals, or as a simple treat with tea. Its sweet aroma and soft interior make it a nostalgic comfort for many Koreans.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Korean Fried Chicken at home?

A

Common pitfalls include frying at too low a temperature, which yields soggy coating, and not double‑frying, which prevents the signature crunch. Also, coating the wings before the first fry can cause a gummy texture; coat, fry, rest, then fry again.

technical
Q

Why does this recipe fry the black bean paste before adding vegetables in Jajangmyeon?

A

Frying the black bean paste removes its natural bitterness and deepens its umami flavor, creating a richer sauce that coats the noodles perfectly. Skipping this step results in a harsher, less balanced taste.

technical
Q

Can I make the soybean‑paste stew ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes, the stew can be prepared a day ahead. Cool it to room temperature, transfer to an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if it thickens too much.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel About To Eat specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel About To Eat focuses on immersive cooking challenges, exploring diverse cuisines through detailed, multi‑hour cooking sessions while sharing personal anecdotes and technique breakdowns.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel About To Eat's approach to Korean cooking differ from other Korean cooking channels?

A

About To Eat combines a narrative 24‑hour challenge format with thorough recipe testing from Korean cookbooks, emphasizing authentic techniques like using earthenware pots and double‑frying, whereas many Korean channels focus on quick recipe demos or restaurant‑style plating.

channel
Q

What authentic traditional ingredients are essential for Korean Fried Chicken and what are acceptable substitutes?

A

Traditional Korean Fried Chicken relies on sweet potato starch for coating, gochujang or chili flakes for the glaze, and rice syrup for sweetness. If unavailable, you can substitute cornstarch for the coating and honey for the syrup, though the texture and flavor will differ slightly.

cultural
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when making Kkwabaegi donuts?

A

Kkwabaegi should be golden‑brown on the outside, slightly crisp, while the interior remains soft, airy, and fluffy. The twist should hold its shape without cracking, and the cinnamon‑sugar coating should cling evenly.

technical

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I Only Made Korean Food For 24 Hours