Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew)

If you’re ever left with canned and/or processed ingredients at home and looking for an easy stew recipe that is packed with flavor and spices, try Budae Jjigae (부대찌개), or Korean Army Stew. This stew requires a little under 15 minutes and is traditionally served family-style, right out of the pot, which makes it the ideal centerpiece for a big feast with loved ones!

What Is Budae Jjigae?

The origins of Budae Jjigae trace back to the 1950’s, following the Korean War. South Korean military bases depended heavily on canned and processed ingredients such as Spam, hot dogs and American cheese as their sources of food. The dish literally translates to “army base stew.” The addition of Korean staple ingredients such as kimchi, instant noodles, gochujang and gochugaru, creates a spicy, savory stew that has become a beloved part of modern Korean cuisine.

---

Ingredients

What makes Budae Jjigae so great is how customizable it is. Anything can go in, but here are the base ingredients:

• Kimchi (fermented vegetables)
• Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
• Soy sauce & sugar
• Broth

Proteins:

• Spam
• Hot dogs or sausages
• Tofu

Vegetables:

• Snow or enoki mushrooms
• Green onions
• Napa cabbage

Other Add-ins:

• American cheese slices
• Rice cakes (tteok)
• Instant noodles

---

How Does it Work?

1. Assemble your ingredients neatly in a shallow pan or pot
2. Add broth until ingredients are just submerged
3. Flavor with seasonings
4. Bring it to a rolling boil, then simmer and cook instant noodles in broth
5. Top with optional American cheese slices and watch them melt before your eyes before serving!

---

Comment / Tag me!

Tried my recipe? Leave me a comment below and tag your pictures with @rackoflam and hashtag #rackoflam on social media! Also follow my YouTube channel for instructional recipe videos!