Hearty and Flavorful Budae Jjigae: A Classic Korean Army Stew Recipe
Craving Budae Jjigae on a Rainy Day? Let’s Enjoy a Warm and Satisfying Pot! 🌭🥘
Perfect for days like today! Savor a delicious meal with Budae Jjigae, featuring a deep, spicy broth and a generous mix of ingredients.
Main Ingredients- 1 can Spam
- 4 Frankfurter sausages
- 1/4 onion
- 1 Tbsp ground pork (drained of blood with paper towel)
- A bit of green onion
- 1 Cheongyang chili pepper
- 3 Tbsp baked beans (from 1 can)
- 1 handful Tteokguk tteok (rice cake soup slices, soaked)
- 1 Shiitake mushroom
- 1 pack beef bone broth (500ml)
- 2 servings instant ramen noodles
Spicy Seasoning Paste- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Fish sauce (or anchovy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking syrup (or corn syrup)
- 1 tsp Dasida (MSG seasoning)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil (or perilla oil)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Fish sauce (or anchovy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking syrup (or corn syrup)
- 1 tsp Dasida (MSG seasoning)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil (or perilla oil)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the seasoning paste that will make our Budae Jjigae taste amazing! In a medium bowl, combine 1 Tbsp Gochujang, 1 Tbsp Gochugaru, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, 1 Tbsp cooking syrup, and 1 tsp Dasida. Add a pinch of black pepper. For an extra layer of flavor, stir in 1 Tbsp perilla oil and 1 Tbsp mirin. Mix everything well until thoroughly combined and set aside.
Step 2
Next, let’s prepare the vegetables. Remove the stems from the shiitake mushroom and slice it into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the 1/4 onion and finely chop the Cheongyang chili pepper to add a pleasant spiciness. Slice the green onion diagonally. Having all your ingredients prepped and ready will make cooking much smoother.
Step 3
Slice the 4 frankfurter sausages diagonally. Cutting them on an angle makes them look more appealing and easier to eat with the stew. Aim for slices that are not too thin so they retain a good texture when cooked.
Step 4
We’re also adding the popular Spam! Slice the small can (1 piece) into desired pieces. For a cleaner taste, you can briefly blanch the Spam in hot water or gently pat it with a paper towel to remove excess grease.
Step 5
To add depth and umami to the broth, we’ll use 1 Tbsp of ground pork. Place it on a paper towel and gently press to absorb any excess liquid. This helps remove any porky smell and keeps the stew tasting clean.
Step 6
Don’t forget the Tteokguk tteok for a chewy texture! If using frozen rice cakes, soak them in cold water for a little while to soften them up. If they are too hard, they will take longer to cook evenly in the stew.
Step 7
Let’s bring out one of the star ingredients of Budae Jjigae: baked beans! If you don’t plan to use a whole can at once, it’s convenient to portion it out and freeze it for later. We’ll be using about 3 tablespoons today.
Step 8
Now, let’s artfully arrange all the ingredients in a wide pot or ‘jeongol’ (hot pot). In the center, place the sliced shiitake mushrooms, onion, chili pepper, and green onion. These vegetables will release their flavors into the broth as they cook.
Step 9
Around the vegetables, arrange the sliced Spam and frankfurter sausages in a circular pattern. Add the Tteokguk tteok and baked beans in the middle, creating a visually appealing and abundant hot pot.
Step 10
Pour the carefully prepared seasoning paste evenly over the ingredients. This paste will meld with the broth and infuse all the components with flavor.
Step 11
For a rich and deep broth, pour in 1 pack of beef bone broth (approximately 500ml). Using store-bought broth makes it easier and ensures a robust flavor base.
Step 12
Now, add about 2 cups (around 400ml) of water. We’re adding a bit more water than usual because we’ll be adding instant ramen noodles, which will absorb some of the liquid. Make sure the ingredients are mostly submerged.
Step 13
Place the pot over high heat and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Check if the meat is cooked through, then add the 2 servings of instant ramen noodles. Cook until the noodles are tender. (Refer to the noodle package for the recommended cooking time.)
Step 14
Voilà! Your delicious Budae Jjigae is ready. Bring the steaming hot pot directly to your table and enjoy it with a bowl of rice. We hope you have a hearty and happy meal with this Budae Jjigae today!
