Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew) Recipe
Budae Jjigae, also known as Korean Army Stew, is a flavorful and hearty one-pot dish combining a variety of savory ingredients like spam, sausages, tofu, kimchi, and ramen noodles in a spicy, rich broth. This stew is perfect for sharing and delivers a comforting, satisfying meal with a balance of spicy, smoky, and umami flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1/2 can spam, sliced
- 10 mini sausages or 2 hot dogs, diced or sliced
- 1/2 block soft or firm tofu, sliced
Vegetables and Mushrooms
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 1 bunch enoki mushrooms
- 1/2 cup kimchi
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Other Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rice cakes
- 1 pack instant ramen noodles
- 2 slices American cheese
Sauce and Seasoning
- 2 tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Broth
- 1L chicken stock or anchovy stock
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, gochugaru, gochujang, soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a well-balanced spicy and savory sauce, then set it aside.
- Assemble the stew ingredients: In a shallow pot, layer the sliced spam, sausages or hot dogs, sliced tofu, rice cakes, sliced onion, enoki mushrooms, and kimchi. Pour the prepared sauce over these ingredients, then add the chicken or anchovy stock. Cover the pot with a lid.
- Bring to a boil: Place the pot over high heat and bring the stew to a boil. This will allow the flavors to meld and the ingredients to cook through in the flavorful broth.
- Add noodles and cheese: Once boiling, add the instant ramen noodles and place the American cheese slices on top. Cover the pot again and let everything cook for a few minutes until the noodles are tender and the cheese has melted into the stew.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the lid, sprinkle the chopped green onions over the stew, and serve hot. This stew pairs wonderfully with steamed rice on the side if desired. Enjoy your comforting one-pot Korean Army Stew!
Notes
- You can substitute the spam and sausages with other processed meats like ham or hot dogs depending on preference.
- If you prefer a spicier stew, increase the gochugaru and gochujang quantities slightly.
- Rice cakes should be soaked in warm water if they are hard before adding to the stew to ensure tenderness.
- Use anchovy stock for a more traditional Korean flavor or chicken stock for a milder taste.
- American cheese is commonly used for its melting properties, but you can use other melting cheeses if preferred.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste, especially the salt levels since processed meats and kimchi can be salty.
Keywords: Budae Jjigae, Korean Army Stew, Korean hot pot, spicy stew, comfort food, one-pot meal, Korean cuisine
