Jangjorim (Soy Braised Beef)

Jangjorim (장조림) is a soy-braised beef dish. It’s a slightly sweet, salty side dish that’s meant to be eaten in small amounts. So, a little bit of meat goes a long way. Back in the day, when beef was scarce, jangjorim was an economical way to put some beef on the table for the whole family. It’s also a popular side dish for home-packed lunch boxes. Kids love it! Growing up, it was the most exciting thing to see in my lunch box.

Beef eye round is commonly used, but I prefer brisket or shank because they are more flavorful. Small blocks of beef are first cooked in water, along with a few aromatic vegetables, and then cooked in soy sauce based broth. The beef will turn tough if cooked in soy sauce from the beginning. I boil the aromatic vegetables, to make a flavorful broth, before adding the beef to cook. Shred a block of beef or two and pour the sauce over to serve.