Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew) Recipe

Introduction

Budae Jjigae, also known as Korean Army Stew, is a comforting one-pot dish packed with bold flavors and a variety of ingredients. Combining savory meats, spicy broth, and chewy noodles, it’s perfect for sharing on a chilly day or whenever you crave a hearty meal.

Ingredients

• 1/2 can Spam, sliced
• 10 mini sausages, or 2 hot dogs (diced or sliced)
• 1/2 block soft or firm tofu, sliced
• 1/2 cup rice cakes
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1 bunch enoki mushrooms
• 1/2 cup kimchi
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 1 pack instant ramen noodles
• 2 slices of American cheese
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 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
• 1 L chicken stock or anchovy stock

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the sauce by mixing minced garlic, gochugaru, gochujang, soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and black pepper in a bowl. Set it aside.
2. Step 2: In a shallow pot, add the Spam, sausage, tofu, rice cakes, onion, enoki mushrooms, and kimchi. Pour the prepared sauce and chicken stock over the ingredients. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Step 3: Once the stew starts boiling, add the instant ramen noodles and place the slices of American cheese on top. Cover again and let it cook for a few minutes until the noodles are fully cooked.
4. Step 4: Remove the lid, garnish with chopped green onions, and serve hot. Enjoy with steamed rice if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, replace meats with mushrooms and add extra tofu or vegetables like zucchini and cabbage.
• Adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less gochugaru and gochujang according to your taste.
• You can substitute American cheese with mozzarella or processed cheese slices for a different melt and flavor.
• Use anchovy stock for a deeper umami flavor, or chicken stock for a milder taste.

Storage

Store any leftover Budae Jjigae in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove over medium heat, adding a little water or broth if the stew has thickened. Avoid microwaving for long as the noodles can become overly soft.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of noodles instead of instant ramen?

Yes, you can use udon or soba noodles as alternatives, but cooking times may vary. Add them towards the end and cook until tender.

Is Budae Jjigae very spicy?

The spice level depends on the amount of gochugaru and gochujang used. You can reduce these ingredients if you prefer a milder stew or increase them for more heat.

Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew) Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 250 reviews

Budae Jjigae, also known as Korean Army Stew, is a comforting one-pot dish that combines a savory mix of Spam, sausages, tofu, kimchi, rice cakes, and ramen noodles simmered in a spicy, flavorful broth. This hearty stew is perfect for sharing and offers a delightful balance of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors, making it a beloved meal in Korean cuisine.

• Author: Naya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Stew
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Korean

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins and Base Ingredients

• 1/2 can Spam, sliced
• 10 mini sausages or 2 hot dogs, diced or sliced
• 1/2 block soft or firm tofu, sliced
• 1/2 cup rice cakes
• 1/2 cup kimchi
• 1 bunch enoki mushrooms

Vegetables and Garnish

• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced

Noodles and Cheese

• 1 pack instant ramen noodles
• 2 slices American cheese

Sauces and Seasonings

• 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

Liquids

• 1L chicken stock or anchovy stock

Instructions

1. Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, gochugaru, gochujang, soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated. Set this sauce mixture aside to allow flavors to meld.
2. Assemble the stew: Using a shallow pot, layer the sliced Spam, sausages or hot dogs, tofu slices, rice cakes, sliced onion, enoki mushrooms, and kimchi evenly. Pour the prepared sauce over the ingredients, then add the chicken or anchovy stock to the pot. Cover with a lid and bring the mixture to a vigorous boil over high heat, allowing the ingredients to cook and the flavors to develop.
3. Add noodles and cheese: Once the stew reaches a boil, add the instant ramen noodles and place the American cheese slices on top. Cover the pot again and simmer for a few minutes, just until the noodles are tender and the cheese has melted into the broth, enriching the stew’s flavor and texture.
4. Finish and serve: Remove the lid and sprinkle the chopped green onions over the top as a fresh garnish. Serve the budae jjigae hot, optionally accompanied by a bowl of steamed rice for a filling meal.

Notes

• You can substitute the meats with other processed options like hot dogs or different sausages based on preference.
• If you prefer a less spicy stew, reduce the amount of gochugaru and gochujang accordingly.
• Using anchovy stock will lend a more traditional Korean flavor, but chicken stock is a good alternative.
• Rice cakes should be soaked beforehand if they’re hard, to soften before cooking.
• The American cheese adds a creamy texture; omit if dairy-free or substitute with a vegan cheese alternative.
• Serve immediately once the noodles are cooked to maintain their texture and avoid overcooking.

Keywords: Budae Jjigae, Korean Army Stew, Korean stew, spicy Korean stew, ramen stew, easy Korean recipes, one pot stew