North Korean style spicy stuffed steamed eggplant (Gochujang gaji-jjim: 고추장 가지찜) 

Can it be keeped like kimchi? For at least a month?

My mom was from North Korea and came to South during the Korean War and she used to make this dish for us all the time. It was one of our favorite dishes. She made the stuffing with diced onions, red chili paste and lots of dried anchovies. She would take the heads off the anchovies and crush then bodies into small pieces with her fingers. Then she would add a little bit of soy sauce and mix them by chopping them together even more with a knife. Then she would stuff the eggplants and steam them.

Is it just me or is the way she cooks so satisfying to me?

Thank you for your recipes and the stories you share. I'm still crying. My grandmother and great grandmother fled Mexico when they were younger and I was grateful to be able to hear their stories of what they endured before coming to California. Sometimes we take for granted how blessed we are here. Thank you again.

I could see that mothers pain in ur eyes mangchi, hope they reunite.. Thank you.. That was touching.. Love from India

Hello everybody! Thank you for all your encouraging comments! Indonesian, Arabic, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese captions are up now thanks to our volunteer translators! Please check out the description box if you like to see who volunteered to translate the captions! If they make their own videos, let's encourage them by subscribing. If you want to translate some captions into your language, you can do it here. ru-vid.com_video?msg=5&v=aTR7eXk0IF4

Maangchi has the biggest heart!!❤ When she started to cry, my eyes got watery too!😭 I love you Maangchi!!!💕

I am a South Indian spiritual man... I don't know how my youtube suggested your video... But, after watching this whole video, my heart melted... You are really such a lovely soul and a lovely mother... Your voice was very soft and polite... May god be with you...

Dearest Mangchi... you are very sweet natured human being. Thank you very much for the heart melting story. You are absolutely right when you say that recipes have memories attached to them. Just the way you said North and South Koreas will one day resolve all their issues I too wish that one day India and Pakistan will resolve all their differences. God bless you with all the happiness and health. Also I wish the North Korean family will one day meet their daughter

Maangchi. While I love your recipes for sure, I cherish your stories about your past and, now, the past of others. You have a way of bringing us all along with you as if we were there sharing in the joy, or the pain. It would be a great joy if not only South and North Korea united but, even more so, how wonderful if all the world united understanding we are all one. That we're all mom's and dad's and children and creators and cooks and food eaters and want nothing more than for all of our whole human family to be happy and well fed. Many thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes and stories! I so appreciate what you bring to my life.

You are such a beautiful human being. This story made me cry. It's very hard to be in situations like this. When I was 11 my family and me tried to escape from war in Afghanistan. On our way from Russia to Europe my pregnant mother and father were arrested from the border police officers and my 3 siblings and me could escape with my uncle. This experience is still my nightmare. I dream often this scene and how my 4 year old brother cried after my mother. My mother and father came after 2 years to Germany and my mother lost her baby because of the stress. But we were lucky because we are united now. Why human beings can't live in harmony and peace together. This world makes me sad.

Maangchi...what a beautiful dish but such a sad story. You are a wonderful person indeed. Somehow I am simply addicted to your recipies, you, your stories and everything about you. I am loving you. Thank you for sharing your dishes and your thoughts.

Maangchi, it's really a heart touching story. As a mom, I couldn't imagine the pained that the woman was having in her heart. May one day, everything will be change...their family and I think many more families will be reunited again and live happily. Maangchi, I've been following you in your channel for almost a year and I wish to thank you for the recipes you've gave and taught on how exactly to make korean dishes. I started to love Korean food as they have a little similarities to Malay, Chinese and Thai dish. I'm a malay mom but I love to cook all kind of cuisines for my children to enjoy. Thanks again Maangchi.☺🤗🥰

So so sad, as a mother my heart brakes.. I will make this dish soon, in honor of all the families that have been separated, thank you Maangchi!

Maangchi....you are such a beautiful sole....I cried when you cried ...seeing your sincerity...your sorry & despair for your country & for the mum in that story. 🌸

I promise I will make this dish in honor of the daughter and her family. Even if the daughter couldn't escape North Korea physically, she will travel the world through this dish.

As a Korean, I deeply sympathize with your feelings. I couldn't stop crying when I saw your eyes turn red.

When maangchi said "this is so sad" at the end of the video, i cant hold back my tears any longer!!!

Chinese (Simplified) caption was submitted by one of my viewers! Thanks a lot!

Dear Maangchi, you ripped my heart apart with your story. It's so sad and being a mum, I know how heartbreaking it is. Thank you for sharing the story and hopefully the, can reunite and hug very tight. I enjoy all your recipes. Every day there is something Korean on our table (Tongbaechu Kimchi or oi sobagi or just panjeon). All my family enjoy your recipes. What a luck that I discovered you. I love the way you cook, with so much love for the food. Thanks for sharing. Lots of love from Switzerland. Borahae💜

Malayalam caption was submitted by Anjana UB (RU-vid)! Thank you, Anjana! ru-vid.com_video?msg=5&nv=1&v=aTR7eXk0IF4

Who else cried when Maangchi's voice cracked in the end? I can't be the only one who teared up

What a touching story, Maangchi. I love the emotion and history in your food. We are so lucky to have you.

Glad to see this. Thank you! My mother in law is from North Korea. She defected as well. So now in the US, she never saw her family after. I love when she cooks for me. She is a mazing cook. So good. Good to see N. Korean food.

I love how this video has brought people together in sympathy from all across the world. Sending love and hope for all families to be reunited.

I am not Korean myself, however, I am going to make this recipe one day for all Koreans to wish for peace. I do not support either the Americans or the North Koreans in this scary and confusing conflict, nor do I intend to get political here. However, I just want to say that the safety and peace on the Korean Peninsula has been on my mind these days and I am wishing only for the absolute best for ALL Koreans. North or South Korean, the important word here is ''Korean'', not North or South. As a neighbour and someone who also shares the East Asian heritage, I just hope we can keep the peace whatever the issue is. Yes, of course something always happens regardless of where you are on earth, however, we all must learn to respect and live with each other regardless of if we do or don't like each other, right?

The story made me cry... I hope she see her daughter soon...

I am not Korean..i am Hellene, i feel your sorrow, ..respect to anyone who has such a strong feeling for his/her country, for family and so much empathy..you teach so much everytime i see you video...humbly obliged...

Awwwww am African and I LOVE LOVE your channel....and the best part of this video was the inspiring story..brought me to tears ...This is what food is about , it is a story , an origin, a spirit and a passion.It is what brings us together . THANK YOU MAANGCHI & GOD UNITE THE NORTH & THE SOUTH.

this was so touching... thanks for sharing!

She warms my heart so much.

Dear Maangchi, I am a native Hawaiian living in California and I truly enjoy watching your show and I am stating to order Korean ingredients so I can make Korean side dishes. It reminds me of my family going to a Korean Restaurant eating Kalbi and all of the side dishes you have taught me. I also appreciate your story of a mother separated from their daughter. One day we continue to pray they will see each other soon. Thank you for sharing we appreciate you.

I love you maagchi. People like you never let the traditional dishes get diminished.

I love how even if you have a very positive, light-hearted channel, it's still possible to sit down and talk about a serious subject like this. You're an amazing person and you're so strong for showing us your true feelings. I feel like we've become closer TT I know we're strangers, but you feel like family to me

I cried at the story 😢😢 I want to make this dish for their honor ♡ ty, maangchi

I can’t even describe what a wonderful person you are i’ve been watching you for 3 years and you make me smile everytime!!

Cooking my culture food make me feel at home. Though I am from Mexico I live in the USA and I can sympathize with this story. Its never easy to leave your family, but sometimes foods brings us together ❤ even if we can't see each other Thank you for this recipe I love to try new cultures too.

Maangchi, the story made me cry. I too hope that someday, Korea is reunited and all families both in the north and south, can live in a country not separated by the horrible regime such as it is now. Thank you so much for sharing the heartbreaking story. And thank you, Maangchi, for being an amazing ambassador of Korean culture and cuisine. You are a treasure. Thank you.

13:10 my heart broke even more when she was trying to keep it in. I hope the mother and daughter will reunite together and Kim Jung Un will stop being a huge arse. Another great recipe, thanks Maangchi!

Maangchi, the food you make, the way you present it is so lovely. The story you shared of the Korean mother who grieves for her daughter shows the beauty of your soul, all these reasons are why you have such are huge following here on You Tube. You are one in a million.

Who’s watching this with me July 30 to 1 to August.. i feel the sadness Maangchi quarantine feel i miss my family so much..

Im so glad you shared this story, and recreated the moms recipe. I hope they get to reunite some day

Maangchi needs her own tv show! I love her cooking so much!

Maangchi's kitchen is one place where viewers ( commenters) have kind hearts just like Maangchi's . 💚💛💙💜

As a parent I couldn't... not shed a tear here. Thank you for giving a voice to those who don't have any. **tearful smiles**

BEST COOKING CHANNEL

Heart touching story . My dad passed away almost 3 years ago. I cook his fev dish and eat myself the way he use to eat and relish and cannot stop my tears while eating. One will never get over such dear loss. My heart goes for the mum and daughter and hope someday they meet and never stay apart again.

I found that I already have all the ingredients to cook this recipe today. Although I only have one small eggplant I know when I'm preparing I will think of your telling of this family's separation. I never cried watching a cooking program until now. You are a brave woman and an example of how we should all be telling these stories of suffering . Peace .

Love you so much madam.... Human love is powerful... It can do miracles... May God, let north Korea blessed... And all family members be together, WITH MUCH RESPECT MARYAM FROM IRAN ❤️🌹

My Mother a and her family left N. Korea when she was 8. They went over the mountains to S. Korea, they had to hide there from everybody because each side didn't trust the other. Her father was shot and killed during that time. My mother, her mother, older brother and sister, and her younger brother made it to S. Korea. Her mother became ill and died, her older brother and sister had to make it on their own, while my mother and her younger brother went to an orphanage. This is where her younger brother disappeared. My Aunt thinks about him every day and wishes she knew where he was and if he is alive. I didn't even know about this until recently, I had thought my mother was the youngest. I made your Hotteok with noodles and veg for my Co-op, they loved it. We just got our weekly box of veggies today. Guess what was in it, Asian eggplants! What timing! I won't have to drool for much longer, dreaming about making this dish, going to cook them tomorrow.

Korean caption was submitted by my volunteer viewer! Thank you so much! 한국어자막 올렸어요!

I made this recipe tonight. It was very delicious, thank you Maangchi! I am a native born white American who has moved to a Korean neighborhood and since we live in such close proximity to Korean restaurants and grocery stores we have looked to your recipes as a source for meal inspiration. Thank you so much for everything you do! I love learning to cook new Korean recipes, and I’ve gained a real appreciation for Korean cuisine through your channel specifically.

In India, brinjal is king of all vegetables.this vegetable used in number of varieties. Almost weekly twice we tried brinjal curry. Fry,curry,masala gravy like that. Mother and daughter story is very heart touching. I prayed This is situation never comes to any one's life. I love my mother very much. I can't spend single day with out my mother. We are three sisters but my mother's cares specially for every one. Mother is just like the visible god.

Sweet woman. I've been in awe of your spirit and channel for so long. Korean food is my favorite! I've been eating and cooking it my whole life. Love your energy and channel!

Maangchi, I truly hope that North Korea and South Korea reunite some day. It really must be heartbreaking for so many families who are separated to not know how their loved ones are doing.

Maanchi you are such an amazing human. Your empathy comes through all of your videos. I love hearing your stories and will never skip over them. Thank you so much for your lovely content. ❤

Just stumbled upon this accidentally. I looveee eggplants and I'm so gonna try this at home. I really enjoyed the video but I lost ot when Maangchi told the story and God when she choked on her tears I cant hold it in 😭😭. I wish the same as her, I hope this world gains its peace and all of us could live happily with our loved ones. Thank you for such a great and touching video, Maangchi ❤

Koreans are good people. Kind, hardworking and a lot of integrity, especially considering all the turmoil that that little country's gone through. My mom was a teacher in Seoul for years; she often talked about how honest and family-oriented folks there were. It's extra heartbreaking that these tight knit families and communities are separated so brutally by powermongering despots. I hope if the North and South ever come back together, it's through peace. The innocent people deserve that much. P.S. totally trying out this recipe soon :o Making me hungry as always

Thank you, Maangchi. Blessings on all the people of the Korean peninsula. May they find unity once again... and may the rest of humanity follow suit.

It is so sad I can’t imagine being away from my boys. No family should be separated or have to choose who stays or goes this story brought tears to my eyes. Love ❤️ you and how you love making and eating 🍽 the food you make.

Aww what a story behind. Love your kind heart. May God protect the family 🙏🏾

Thank you Maangchi for another delicious recipe!

Thank you very much! I, a Russian Korean, and my father - also born in Russia, taught us all in the family, to love Korean cuisine. Recently, I pleased them with your recipes.

대학 다닐 때 전공 특성상 새터민을 많이 만났었는데, 그 중 한 언니하고 친해져서 언니가 졸업하기 전까지 강의도 같이 듣고 공부도 같이 했었어요. 부모님은 탐탁지 않아 하셨던 우정이였지만 그 언니 덕분에 대학 생활을 순탄하게 보냈었지요. (여러모로 서로를 도와줬기 때문에!☺) 지금은 일에 비빠서 자주 연락은 못하고 있는데... 추석 연휴 끝나면 오랜만에 전화해야겠어요!

I love cooking and was suggested some videos from your channel, which is little by little becoming one of my absolute favourite channels. Your cooking is awesome and inspiring, but I think what unites us followers the most is that we can really feel your warm feelings and your love as you’re sharing recipes, cooking, telling stories like this one. You have such a beautiful heart. Warm greetings from Finland! 🇫🇮

We're all just people, government creates arbitrary lines to divide us. This really broke my heart, sending love ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Bless you maangchi. That was very touching, and I cried at the end. I do hope and pray that family, along with many others, get reunited.

I just saw this video for the first time today. I got a tear to my eye too. I hope the mother and daughter will be able to come together again. How terrible. Yes, hopefully one day soon the North and South will reunite so families will no longer be apart. Thanks for sharing Maangchi.

I am glad you shared that woman's story with us, you are so sweet and kind and I can tell you have a gentle and caring soul; your children are lucky to have you!

your story is so sad😯i hope someday they will meet again.thanks for your recipe maangchi😘

Early💕 maangchi your recipes always make me hungry😍😍

You are so sweet and kind hearted person. I love your recipes and u too. I am an Indian but I love Korean dishes after saw your recipes. Thank you for shareing.

It's such a great opportunity to share a personal story while cooking, It does not get any better than this. Great job and thanks for the history lesson.

I bought your book, it is so good! I use every recipe. Very simple to understand and the tastes are really interesting. And the small stories behind how you found some of the recipes is so intriguing. Thank you Maangchi. :)

The accessory Maangchi wears on her head has the same color as eggplants LOL =))

In a world today where there is so much of hatred and war and bloodshed, people like you make me believe in Goodness and hope and compassion. The story at the end moved me deeply and I hope your wish comes true soon.

What a loving human being you are. You have a wonderful heart. I love your all your recipe's. Many blessings to you.

아이고..... 그 어머니 심정이 어떨까 짐작도 못 하겠어요. 떨어져있는 가족들에 대해 알지 못했던 사람들에게도, 내 일에 정신없다며 무심했던 저 같은 사람들에게도 맛있는 레시피와 함께 이야기를 전해주셔서 감사합니다. 제 나이대의 친구들은 솔직히 말해서 세대가 많이 걸러진 이유로 이산가족이나 통일에 대해 많이 무뎌졌거든요. 초등학교 때면 모를까, 성인이 되어 시간이 흐르다보니 저한텐 먼 이야기고 당장은 생각할 여유가 없다면서 부끄럽게도 관심마저 희미해졌었어요. 망치님 덕분에 다시 가슴에 울림이 생겼네요. 꼭 무사하길 바라는 딸이 가족과 다시 만나고, 엄마의 요리를 원없이 맛있게 먹을 수 있기를.. 다시 한 번 레시피랑 이야기 감사합니다! I can't imagine that mom's feeling... Thank you for sharing the recipe with this story to people who didn't know about Korea's separate family and "It's too far story to me and no composure now to think about them" said like me. Thank you so much.

I'm a grown-ass man in my late 40's and I cried listening to the story. And on a happier note, I want to be best friends with you! You seem so spunky, always happy and just plain fun! Also, getting to eat your food would certainly be a benefit. lol

I love her voice, shes the sweetest thing & she is so passionate about her cooking. 💜her

I love all your recipes, and I finally bought your book just so that I can have it at my finger tips. Thank you for sharing your recipes, and stories that are heart-warming. Many blessings to you.

Thank you for spreading the story of North Korean people, the world needs to hear what is happening there to the people living there.

May that woman find her daughter one day.Ameen You are not only a great cook maangchi but also have a good soul n i love u for that💋💋

Ur really.. Amazing person with such a lovely energy... Love to see the way u cook with all love and ur interesting stories... 💙💚💛❤️💓💕

just lovely, i have had some korean friends, we had korean foods, love few varieties of dishes that koreans eat at meal, like side dishes, but after watching your videos, it seems you guys have lots of variety of pickles, foods, i had no clue of so many variety, fresh colorful dishes, side dishes you guys have, enjoying your videos. thank you.

What a sad story! I have 5 daughters and I can't imagine leaving any one of them, and never seeing them again. 😢

such a heartbreaking story. Thanks for sharing with us Maangchi

I cried too what a sad story.I hpe n pray that her daughter is safe.It breaks my heart.thank u Maangchi

Palestinians make a very similar preserved eggplant side dish stuffed with flavorful pepper paste and walnuts and we call it Makdoos

I just got a lot of eggplants from a friend's garden perfect timing thank you Maangchi :)

thank you for sharing that story maangchi..it means alot

My eyes full of tears when you said the story of family that had been apart for each other. I've been following your food blog and I am converted to Korean food I have to have some sort of Kimchi everyday. I will try this eggplant because eggplants is anti-cancer.

Maangchi, I am so grateful for the gift of your beautiful, loving, and joyful heart, your videos, and your amazing food in my life. Thank you also for sharing this heart-breaking story. May this family be reunited somehow someday and may your homeland one day become a free and reunited Korea! Much love to you, dear one.💜💜💜

after knowing the history of this dish i'm crying like a small baby.. sooo sad..i can't image how tough the mother is.. sobb

I love watching your cooking shows, you explain everything so well, so it makes it easy to cook these recipes! I love how upbeat you are, it makes cooking so fun! And you are so beautiful too, I love your purple ribbon in your hair! Thank you for all your great cooking videos! Love from Nancy San Diego, California

Touching story... Hope one day the daughter reunites with her mother...

i so much appreciate your genuine heart, i pray that family meet there daughter soon. im a mom and just hearing the story made me cry. thank you for sharing and for all your do.

Thank you Maangchi, for your positive energy, straight from the heart and for all your great videos and recipes! you´re such an inspiration

I love this channel. We have so many privileges we take for granted here, like the love of our families and the availability of good food. It really makes you think about humanity and what it means to live with dignity when you hear the brave stories of those who have very little. Very sad story, but the NK defector’s courage is so admirable. Thank you, Maangchi!

Your videos make me fall in love with Korean culture