Rinse the pork neck bones under running water. Place them in a large bowl, cover with water, and soak for 2 to 3 hours, changing the water several times.
1.5 kg pork neck bones
Blanch the soaked bones in boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes, then rinse each one under cold water.
Prepare the broth
Place the blanched bones in a large pot with the water, doenjang, green onions, small onion, whole garlic cloves, ginger, ginger liquor (or cheongju), bay leaves, and peppercorns.
3.5 L water, 1 tablespoon doenjang, 2 stalks green onions, 1 small onion, 1 handful garlic cloves, 1 piece ginger, 4 tablespoons ginger liquor, 2 leaves bay, 12 whole peppercorns
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes, until the broth is rich and flavorful. Strain, reserving both the meat and broth.
Prepare the garnishes and seasoning
Prepare the siraegi (or your chosen substitute): rinse gently, remove the thin, transparent skin from the stems if needed, then cut into pieces.
500 g siraegi (dried radish greens)
Mix the siraegi with the gochugaru, doenjang, gochujang, Korean soup soy sauce, tuna sauce (or fish sauce), Shaoxing wine, minced garlic, minced ginger, perilla oil (if using), black pepper, and salt.
Peel the potatoes and cut them into large chunks. Roughly chop the perilla leaves and Korean green onion, then thinly slice the chili peppers according to your desired heat level.
4 potatoes, 12 leaves perilla, 1 stalk Korean green onion, 1 red chili pepper, 2 Cheongyang chili peppers
Finish the stew
Return the cooked meat and strained broth to a pot, then bring to a boil. (Optional: strain through cheesecloth to remove excess fat for a cleaner, clearer broth.)
When the broth is boiling vigorously, add the potatoes and cook for about 5 minutes.
When the potatoes are about one-third cooked, add the seasoned siraegi and bring back to a boil.
Cook for another 10 minutes, then add the chili peppers and Korean green onion.
Taste and adjust the salt if needed. Finish with the perilla leaves and perilla seed powder to deepen the aroma.
2 tablespoons perilla seed powder
Notes
Perilla leaves (or young perilla shoots) give the stew a more pronounced, aromatic flavor. For a clearer broth, strain it through cheesecloth to remove excess fat.