Budae Jjigae: A Hearty Korean Stew from the Army

This flavorful stew combines spicy broth with a mix of meats, noodles, and veggies for a comforting meal that’s perfect any day. Inspired by post-war Korea, it’s an easy dish packed with bold, satisfying flavors.

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TIME57 min

SERVINGS4

RATING5.0 / 5

Budae Jjigae: A Hearty Korean Stew from the Army

01 / WHAT YOU NEED

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) can fully cooked luncheon meat (such as SPAM®), sliced 14 ounces smoked sausage (such as Eckrich®), sliced 1 large onion, sliced 6 ounces kimchi ¼ cup Korean red pepper powder 3 tablespoons soy sauce 3 tablespoons gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste) 5 cloves garlic, minced 1 pinch ground black pepper 1 bunch green onions, chopped 2 (32 ounce) containers chicken broth 7 ¾ ounces ramen noodles (such as Ottogi Ramyonsari®) 1 slice American cheese (Optional)

02 / HOW TO MAKE IT

Let's cook.

Step 1

Start by dividing the luncheon meat into two piles on opposite sides of a large stockpot. Then, layer the sausage, onion, and kimchi on top, leaving a space in the middle of the pot. In a small bowl, mix together the red pepper powder, soy sauce, gochujang, garlic, and black pepper. Pour this mixture into the empty space in the pot, and sprinkle the green onions over everything. Pour in the chicken broth and bring it all to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so the flavors blend nicely.

02

Step 2

While the stew is simmering, bring a separate pot of water to a boil and cook the ramen noodles for about 2 minutes, just until they start to soften. Drain the noodles and add them to the stew. Let everything cook together for another 5 minutes or so, until the noodles are tender but still have a bit of bite. Just before serving, top the stew with slices of American cheese and let it melt into the hot broth. Enjoy!

03 / EXTRA DETAILS

Good to know.

Cook's tip

- Use a good-quality kimchi for the best depth of flavor.
- Simmer the stew gently to let all the ingredients meld together without overcooking the noodles.
- Adjust the spiciness by adding more or less gochujang (Korean chili paste) to suit your taste.

Why you’ll love it

This stew is a perfect blend of spicy, savory, and comforting flavors. It combines unique ingredients like kimchi and sausage, making it both hearty and satisfying. It’s easy to customize with whatever you have on hand, making it a great choice for a cozy meal.

Serving ideas

Serve this stew hot with a bowl of steamed rice on the side. It goes well with simple Korean side dishes like pickled radish or steamed vegetables. A cold glass of barley tea or soju can also complement the bold flavors nicely.

Storage & leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove to avoid overcooking the noodles. If the stew thickens too much after storing, add a little water or broth to loosen it before reheating.