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Korean army stew (Budae Jjigae)

Budae Jjigae: Ultimate Korean Army Stew

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Budae Jjigae is Korean army stew with a fusion twist. Made with Spam, kimchi, and ramen, this iconic dish is perfect for communal dining. Learn the rich history and flavors of this Korean-American fusion dish, and follow this step-by-step recipe for a hearty meal.
Cuisine Korean
Diet Low Lactose
Keyword budae jjigae, Korean army stew, Korean chili flakes, pork and beans, ramen noodles, spam, tofu
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 855
Author Holly Ford

Equipment

Ingredients

For Budae Jjigae sauce

For Budae Jjigae stew

  • 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 hot dogs sliced in half
  • 1 lb (450 g) firm tofu sliced
  • 2/3 cup (160 ml) sour kimchi sliced
  • 1/2 onion sliced
  • 3 oz (85 g) mushroom sliced
  • 4 cup (960 ml) chicken stock low sodium
  • 1 instant ramen noodles noodles only

Optional stew ingredients

  • 1 slice cheddar cheese
  • 1/3 lb (150 g) ground pork
  • 6 frozen dumplings
  • 3 oz (85 g) rice cake rounds
  • 1/2 Asian leek sliced

Instructions

  • To prepare Budae jigae sauce, mix together Korean chili flakes (gochugaru), gochujang, soy sauces, garlic, and pepper in a small mixing bowl; set aside.
    Seasoning for making Korena army stew is combined in a bowl.
  • To arrange ingredients in a pan, put slices of onion on the bottom of a shallow pan. Arrange the jjigae fillings (Spam slices, hot dogs, sausage, tofu, mushroom, kimchi, and etc) as you please.
    Budae jjigae ingredients are arranged in a pot over the portable stove.
  • Add instant ramen noodles, cheese and the seasoning paste. Pour in enough stock to barely cover everything.
    Chicken stock is poured on a pot of Korean army stew ingredients.
  • Place the pan on the stove (I recommend using a portable burner right on the table) and bring the stew to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer. Stir the seasoning paste to distribute it throughout the stew. Stir ramen noodles to cook evenly in the simmering stock.
    Korean army stew (budae jjigae) is boiling in a pot.
  • Serving Tip: When the ramen noodle is soft and chewy, enjoy the noodles first on individual plates or bowls before they get soggy. Then you can serve the stew hot right at the table, dishing out a portion.

Nutrition

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