Dynamics and correlation of microbial communities and metabolic compounds in doenjang-meju, a Korean traditional soybean brick

•Fermentation characteristics of doenjang-meju (soybean brick) were investigated.•Microbial community and metabolic compounds in eight doenjang-meju were analyzed.•Doenjang-meju had Bacillus- and Enterococcus-dominant fermentation features.•Bacillus and Enterococcus showed a negative correlation in doenjang-meju fermentation.•Microbial taxa that produce metabolites and volatile compounds were identified.