Gamja Jorim Recipe: How to Make Korean Braised Potatoes

Gamja jorim is a Korean side dish of braised potatoes cooked in a sweet and salty sauce. The gamja jorim sauce contains sweet ingredients, like corn syrup, granulated sugar, or honey, and salty soy sauce and may feature other flavorings such as sesame oil or seeds, ginger, garlic, and rice wine.

Gamja jorim is part of the banchan dining style common across Korea, where chefs and home cooks serve it as part of home-cooked meals and in packed lunches. These meals often come with a range of small vegetable-based banchan side dishes shared among the diners. Banchan dishes usually include fermented vegetables (kimchi), seasoned vegetables (namul), stir-fries (bokkeum), and braised (jorim) dishes like gamja jorim.

There are various regional and family variations on the gamja jorim recipe, but most use pre-cooked skin-on baby potatoes. Here are some other tips to consider when making this dish:

1. 1. Use the right potatoes. Your potatoes may break apart during cooking, depending on the variety you use. Generally, waxy potatoes, like Yukon Golds, hold their shape better than starchy potatoes, like russets or sweet potatoes, and are the superior choice for making gamja jorim.
2. 2. Season the cooking water. Adding a pinch of salt and a splash of vinegar to the cooking water can prevent the potatoes from breaking up and give them extra flavor. Alternatively, skip the boiling and pan-fry or roast the potatoes before cooking them in the braising sauce.
3. 3. Let the potatoes cook without interruption. Evenly cooking the potatoes is crucial when making gamja jorim to keep the skin intact and ensure a fluffy interior. Keeping the lid on the pan while you boil the potatoes helps maintain even heat throughout, ensuring that they cook at the same rate. Check if the potatoes are ready by piercing them with a toothpick or skewer, and cook them a little longer if you feel resistance.
4. 4. Incorporate veggies. Add vegetables, like carrots, bell peppers, or green onions, to Korean braised potatoes for a boost of nutrients and a vibrant, colorful appearance.
5. 5. Amp up the spiciness. Spicy versions of the dish are also popular. Add heat to gamja jorim by adding gochujang (chili paste), gochugaru (chili powder), or chopped fresh chili peppers to the braising sauce.
6. 6. Store in the fridge. Store leftover gamja jorim in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Reheat by warming the potatoes in a pan with some nonstick spray or a bit of ghee.