Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew) is a daring, spicy sizzling pot full of Spam, sausage, kimchi, and ramen noodles. This comforting one-pot meal blends Korean flavors with American affect — hearty, savory, and ideal for sharing.
Korean Army Stew (Budae Jjigae) was first created close to Uijeongbu, a northern metropolis simply outdoors Seoul the place a U.S. army base was positioned. After the Korean War, native cooks started making hearty stews from surplus canned meats equipped by the bottom.
Over time, it advanced right into a beloved consolation meals throughout Korea, cherished for its wealthy, spicy, and umami-packed taste. I nonetheless keep in mind my first style of genuine budae jjigae as a university pupil visiting Uijeongbu.
That unforgettable taste impressed the model I’m sharing right this moment — a easy option to make this iconic Korean military stew at house. Whether you’re cooking it for the primary time or craving a nostalgic style of Seoul, this recipe captures the daring, spicy essence of Korea’s well-liked fusion stew.
Ingredients & Substitution Tips for Korean Army Stew
To make Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew), you’ll want a number of staple Korean condiments like gochujang (Korean chili paste), gochugaru (chili flakes), soy sauce, and garlic—plus the signature canned meats that give this stew its daring, savory taste.
The ingredient listing may look lengthy, nevertheless it’s very versatile. Feel free to adapt it with what you will have available or your personal favorites. After all, the most effective budae jjigae recipes are those you make your personal.
Notes on Canned and Processed Meats
- Spam: I take advantage of the Spam model low-sodium model as a result of it’s the traditional alternative for Budae Jjigae. I’ve examined different manufacturers, however none match Spam’s taste and texture—it actually defines the style of this stew. Try my Spam kimchi jjigae for an additional scrumptious manner to make use of Spam.
- Pork & Beans: A should for that authentic “army base” taste. Its sweetness balances the spicy broth fantastically. I’ve tried making the stew with out it earlier than, nevertheless it all the time seems like one thing’s lacking.
- Vienna Sausage: Another nostalgic staple. For a heartier variation, exchange it with minced pork or sliced pork stomach.
Optional Add-Ins
To make your Korean military stew extra satisfying, I like including kimchi, frozen dumplings, and mushrooms. They add texture and depth whereas absorbing the spicy broth. These elements are simple to search out at most Korean or Asian markets, so combine and match to fit your style.
How to make Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew)
Here’s a step-by-step visible information with suggestions from my kitchen. You’ll discover precise measurements and timing within the recipe card under.
Make the seasoning sauce. In a small bowl, combine collectively the chili flakes, gochujang, soy sauces, garlic, and black pepper till easy. The sauce ought to look thick and deep pink — that’s the bottom of the stew’s spicy taste.
Arrange the elements in layers. Line the underside of your shallow pot with onion slices. Then neatly prepare Spam, sausages, tofu, kimchi, and different elements in clusters. This helps them cook dinner evenly and offers the stew its signature “hot pot” look when served on the desk.
Add noodles, cheese, and broth. Top with immediate ramen noodles and a slice of cheese, then pour in sufficient rooster inventory to only cowl every little thing.
Tip: I favor utilizing low-sodium rooster inventory or Korean oxbone broth (sagol gukmul). It provides the soup a deeper, restaurant-style richness. Through testing, I’ve discovered that utilizing plain water makes the flavour noticeably flat and fewer satisfying.
Bring to a boil, then simmer. Once the broth begins effervescent, scale back the warmth and let the elements simmer gently. Stir the seasoning paste into the broth so the spicy base blends evenly. You’ll discover the broth turning wealthy pink because the flavors meld collectively.
Cook the noodles. Add the ramen noodles simply earlier than serving and cook dinner till chewy. They’ll proceed softening within the sizzling broth, so timing is essential for the right texture.
How to Serve and Enjoy
In Korea, Budae Jjigae is supposed to be shared proper from the effervescent pot. I prefer to cook dinner it on a portable burner on the desk so everybody can take pleasure in it sizzling and recent.
Start having fun with with the noodles whereas they’re nonetheless chewy—they soften shortly within the spicy broth. As the extent drops, pour in a little bit additional inventory to maintain the stew simmering. That steady cooking makes the flavors deepen with every chunk.
Serve it with a bowl of steamed rice to take in the wealthy broth, and possibly one gentle facet like Korean soybean sprout salad (Kongnamul Muchim) for distinction. The simplicity of this setup is what makes budae jjigae such a comforting, social meal.
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Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew)
Budae Jjigae, Korean Army Stew, is a spicy, hearty fusion of Korean and American flavors. Loaded with Spam, sausage, kimchi, and ramen, it’s the last word sizzling pot to share with household and mates.
Budae jjigae sizzling pot
- 12 oz (340 g) can Spam, sliced
- 8 oz (227 g) can pork and beans
- 4.6 oz (130 g) can Vienna sausage, drained
- 3 sizzling canine, sliced in half
- 1 lb (450 g) agency tofu, sliced
- 2/3 cup (160 ml) bitter kimchi, sliced
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 3 oz (85 g) mushroom (any alternative), sliced
- 4 cup (960 ml) rooster inventory, low sodium
- 1 bundle immediate ramen noodles, noodles solely
Optional elements
- 1 slice cheddar cheese
- 1/3 lb (150 g) minced pork
- 6 frozen dumplings
- 3 oz (85 g) rice cake rounds
- 1/2 Asian leek, sliced
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To put together Budae jigae sauce, combine collectively Korean chili flakes (gochugaru), gochujang, soy sauces, garlic, and pepper in a small mixing bowl; put aside.
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Assemble the stew: Place the sliced onions on the backside of a big, shallow pot. Layer the Spam, sizzling canine, Vienna sausage, tofu slices, pork and dumpling items, rice desserts, kimchi, mushrooms, and inexperienced onions on high of the onions in an excellent, visually interesting association.
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Place the moment ramen noodles and the cheese slice over the layered elements. Spoon the ready seasoning sauce on high of the noodles and different elements.
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Carefully pour in sufficient rooster inventory to only barely cowl all of the elements. This will make sure the stew has sufficient liquid to cook dinner and develop deep flavors with out turning into too watery.
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Place the pot on the range (or on a conveyable burner on the desk for an genuine eating expertise). Bring the stew to a boil over medium-high warmth. Once it begins boiling, scale back the warmth to low and let it simmer.
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Stir the seasoning paste into the broth to evenly distribute it all through the stew. Gently stir the ramen noodles as they cook dinner to make sure they soften evenly within the simmering inventory.
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Serving Tip: For the most effective texture, benefit from the noodles first whereas they’re nonetheless chewy, and refill the broth as wanted.
Calories: 855kcal, Carbohydrates: 54g, Protein: 48g, Fat: 51g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Monounsaturated Fat: 23g, Cholesterol: 131mg, Sodium: 3197mg, Potassium: 1222mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 1832IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 241mg, Iron: 7mg
