Hearty and Flavorful Budae Jjigae Recipe
Craving a Spicy Stew on a Rainy Day? Make Budae Jjigae with Ramen and Cheese!
On a drizzly day, nothing beats a warm and spicy stew. Why not make Budae Jjigae, a family favorite, for a special treat? Today, we’ve added baked beans and ramen noodles, topped with melting cheese, just the way my son loves it! Get ready for a delicious meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Generous Budae Jjigae Ingredients- Spam 300g (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Baked Beans 100g (with sauce)
- Aged Kimchi 120g (chopped)
- Ground Meat 100g (for richer broth)
- Sausages 3 links (sliced diagonally or as desired)
- Onion 1 medium (sliced to 5mm thickness)
- Green Onion 1 stalk (cut into 5cm lengths, on an angle)
- Cheddar Cheese 1 slice (optional, add more to taste)
- Ramen Noodles 1 packet (the star of Budae Jjigae!)
- Rice Water 800ml (broth base)
Spicy Seasoning Paste- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 2 Tbsp (for spiciness)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 0.5 Tbsp (for savory depth)
- Doenjang (Korean soybean paste) 0.5 Tbsp (for umami)
- Soup Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp (for saltiness)
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp (for aroma)
- Black Pepper a pinch (to taste)
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 2 Tbsp (for spiciness)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 0.5 Tbsp (for savory depth)
- Doenjang (Korean soybean paste) 0.5 Tbsp (for umami)
- Soup Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp (for saltiness)
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp (for aroma)
- Black Pepper a pinch (to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by preparing the ingredients that will make our Budae Jjigae so delicious. Ensure all ingredients are washed and ready.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp of gochugaru, 0.5 Tbsp of gochujang, 0.5 Tbsp of doenjang, 1 Tbsp of soup soy sauce, 1 Tbsp of minced garlic, and a pinch of black pepper.
Step 3
Mix these ingredients well to create a spicy and flavorful seasoning paste, loved by Koreans. Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your preference.
Step 4
Slice the onion into approximately 5mm thick rounds. This will add a subtle sweetness to the broth.
Step 5
Cut the green onion into 5cm lengths at an angle. Slicing them lengthwise in half can help release more aroma into the stew.
Step 6
Slice the sausages diagonally or into your preferred bite-sized pieces. Fun shapes make the dish more appealing!
Step 7
To remove excess oil and create a cleaner taste, pour boiling water over the Spam or briefly blanch it in boiling water.
Step 8
After draining, cut the Spam into pieces. Avoid cutting them too thinly so they retain a satisfying texture.
Step 9
Now it’s time to bring everything together! In a pot or a Korean hot pot (jeongol-daeji), arrange the prepared Spam, baked beans, kimchi, ground meat, sausages, onion, and green onion. Place the seasoning paste in the center. Instead of regular broth, use rice water for a deeper, more complex flavor.
Step 10
Place the pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Once the broth is boiling vigorously, stir in the seasoning paste evenly, ensuring the flavors meld together.
Step 11
Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 5 minutes to let the ingredients cook. Then, add the ramen noodles and the slice of cheddar cheese on top.
Step 12
Finally, cook for another 2 to 6 minutes, or until the ramen noodles are perfectly cooked. Your delicious Budae Jjigae is ready! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
