Budae Jjigae (One-Pot Korean Army Stew) Recipe
Budae Jjigae, also known as Korean Army Stew, is a hearty and comforting one-pot dish that combines savory processed meats, soft tofu, chewy rice cakes, mushrooms, and spicy kimchi in a flavorful broth made vibrant with Korean chili flakes and paste. This easy-to-make stew is topped with instant ramen noodles and melted American cheese for a bold, satisfying meal perfect for sharing on chilly days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Meats
- 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
Carbohydrates and Other Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rice cakes
- 1 pack instant ramen noodles
- 2 slices American cheese
Seasonings and Sauces
- 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
- 1 liter chicken stock or anchovy stock
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, thoroughly mix minced garlic, gochugaru, gochujang, soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and black pepper until well combined. Set this spicy, flavorful sauce aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Assemble the stew: In a shallow pot over medium-high heat, arrange sliced Spam, diced sausages, 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. Cover the pot with a lid and bring everything to a boil.
- Add noodles and cheese: Once the stew is boiling, open the lid and add the instant ramen noodles and American cheese slices. Cover again and cook for a few more minutes until the noodles are tender and the cheese has melted into the broth, enriching its creaminess.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the lid, sprinkle chopped green onions over the stew for freshness, and serve hot. Optionally, enjoy it alongside steamed rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use either chicken stock or anchovy stock depending on your preference; anchovy stock lends a more traditional Korean flavor.
- Adjust the spice levels by varying the amount of gochugaru and gochujang to suit your taste.
- Rice cakes should be soaked in warm water beforehand if they are frozen or hard to ensure tenderness.
- American cheese melts quickly and adds a creamy texture; you can substitute with mozzarella if preferred.
- Serve with steamed rice or kimchi fried rice to complement the stew’s flavors.
- Leftovers keep well and taste even better the next day after the flavors meld further.
Keywords: Budae Jjigae, Korean Army Stew, Korean stew, spicy stew, Korean ramen stew, one-pot meal, comfort food, Korean cuisine
