Korean Seafood Stew Recipe

This Korean Seafood Stew recipe is a rich, spicy, and satisfying bowl featuring shrimp, mussels, clams, squid, tender vegetables, and ramen noodles simmered in a bold gochujang-infused broth. Featured on Bring on the Karbs, hosts Erica and Josh Karbelnik bring together fresh seafood and classic Korean-inspired flavors to create a comforting one-pot meal that’s perfect for chilly evenings, family dinners, or whenever you’re craving something warm and deeply flavorful.

The Inspiration

Korean cuisine is celebrated for its ability to balance heat, umami, freshness, and comfort in a single dish. Seafood stews are especially beloved along Korea’s coastal regions, where fresh shellfish and fish are simmered in deeply seasoned broths flavored with fermented chili paste, garlic, aromatics, and vegetables. Every bowl delivers layers of bold flavor while highlighting the natural sweetness of the seafood.

Inspired by those comforting traditions, this recipe from Bring on the Karbs combines a variety of seafood with a spicy broth enriched by gochujang, gochugaru, anchovy paste, and chicken stock. Rather than relying on one type of seafood, the dish layers shrimp, mussels, Manila clams, and squid, allowing each ingredient to contribute its own unique flavor and texture.

Ingredients

• 1 pack ramen noodles, cooked according to package instructions
• 2 tbsp (29.6 ml) neutral oil such as canola
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, grated
• 3 green onions
• 4 tbsp (59 ml) gochujang
• 1 tbsp (59 ml) gochugaru
• 4 oz nappa cabbage
• 1 tbsp (14.8 ml) anchovy paste
• 100 g manilla clams, soaked overnight in salt water, on ice
• 4 oz squid rings
• 100 g mussels, cleaned, on ice
• 8 head on shrimp, peeled and deveined, on ice
• 4 cups (960 ml) chicken broth

Method

• Heat the oil in a small pot on high heat. Add the garlic and onion and stir fry until aromatic. Add the shrimp, clams, mussels, squid, chili paste and powder and stir to combine.
• Add the broth and bring to a quick boil. Plate with cooked noodles and garnish with green onions.

Serving Suggestions

This Korean Seafood Stew is a complete meal on its own, thanks to the combination of seafood, vegetables, rich broth, and ramen noodles. For a traditional Korean-inspired dinner, serve it alongside steamed jasmine or short-grain rice, kimchi, pickled vegetables, or seasoned spinach. These lighter side dishes complement the stew’s bold flavors while adding freshness and variety to the meal.

If you’re entertaining guests, present the stew in a large Dutch oven or communal serving pot placed in the center of the table, allowing everyone to ladle their own portions over freshly cooked noodles. Garnish generously with sliced green onions and offer extra gochugaru for guests who enjoy additional heat.

For beverages, pair this hearty seafood stew with a crisp lager, sparkling water with lime, or chilled green tea to balance the richness of the broth. The stew also pairs beautifully with Korean-style pancakes, steamed dumplings, or simple cucumber salad for a satisfying multi-course meal. Leftovers can be gently reheated the next day, and the broth often develops even deeper flavor after resting overnight.

Final Thoughts

This Korean Seafood Stew recipe is everything a comforting seafood meal should be—rich, warming, spicy, and full of fresh ocean flavor. The combination of shrimp, mussels, clams, squid, and ramen noodles creates a satisfying bowl that’s elevated by the bold depth of gochujang, garlic, and anchovy paste.

Whether you’re exploring Korean-inspired cuisine for the first time or looking for a new seafood favorite, this stew offers a rewarding balance of spice, umami, and comforting warmth. It’s an excellent recipe for cozy dinners, casual entertaining, or anytime you’re craving a vibrant bowl of nourishing comfort food.

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