Spicy and Hearty Budae Jjigae: Homemade Army Stew Recipe
Budae Jjigae Recipe, Budae Jjigae Seasoning, How to Make Budae Jjigae, Korean Stew, Comfort Food
Create your own personalized Budae Jjigae with ingredients from your fridge! This hearty and spicy Korean army stew is perfect for any occasion. Let’s get started!
Main Ingredients- 1 can Spam (400g)
- Assorted processed meats (sausages, canned ham, etc.) to your liking
- Assorted mushrooms (king oyster, enoki, shiitake, etc.)
- 1 handful fresh bean sprouts (approx. 100g)
- 1 stalk green onion
- 1/2 cup well-fermented kimchi (approx. 100g)
- 1-2 Cheongyang peppers (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 block firm tofu
- 1 packet instant ramen noodles
- Assorted frozen shrimp (optional)
- Assorted clams (optional)
- Assorted fish cakes
Spicy Seasoning Sauce- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust for spice level)
- 0.5 Tbsp sugar (for balanced flavor)
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine, to remove any gaminess)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp Fish sauce or Soy sauce (for depth of flavor)
- 1-2 packs beef bone broth (Sago-gukmul) or similar savory broth (total 500-1000ml)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust for spice level)
- 0.5 Tbsp sugar (for balanced flavor)
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine, to remove any gaminess)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp Fish sauce or Soy sauce (for depth of flavor)
- 1-2 packs beef bone broth (Sago-gukmul) or similar savory broth (total 500-1000ml)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly wash and prepare all your ingredients. Slice the Spam and other processed meats into bite-sized pieces. Cut the tofu into generous cubes.
Step 2
Feel free to add other delicious ingredients you have on hand, such as frozen shrimp, clams, or various fish cakes, to make your Budae Jjigae even richer. Slice these additions into manageable pieces as well.
Step 3
Lightly rinse the bean sprouts under running water and drain. Tear or slice the mushrooms into suitable sizes. If your kimchi is in large pieces, chop it finely.
Step 4
Now, let’s prepare the flavorful seasoning sauce that will define your Budae Jjigae. In a bowl, add 1 generous tablespoon of Gochujang.
Step 5
Add 2.5 tablespoons of Gochugaru, 0.5 tablespoon of sugar, 2 tablespoons of Mirin, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, a pinch of black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of fish sauce or soy sauce. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
Step 6
If you’re using a large amount of ingredients or desire a deeper, more intense broth flavor, consider adding extra broth. For this recipe, one pack (500ml) of beef bone broth seemed insufficient, so an additional pack was used.
Step 7
Use 1-2 packs (500-1000ml total) of beef bone broth or a similar savory broth. You can supplement with water if needed to reach the desired broth quantity. (This recipe uses 2 packs of broth).
Step 8
Arrange the prepared Spam, processed meats, tofu, fish cakes, and vegetables attractively in a large pot or wok. Presenting the ingredients nicely will make the final dish even more appealing.
Step 9
Evenly distribute the prepared seasoning sauce over the ingredients in the pot. (If you’re making a smaller batch, it’s advisable to add only part of the sauce initially and then adjust to taste while simmering).
Step 10
Cover the meats and vegetables with the bean sprouts and kimchi. Think of it as tucking them in with a ‘bean sprout blanket’.
Step 11
Finally, generously top everything with sliced green onions and Cheongyang peppers. Add more peppers if you prefer it spicier.
Step 12
Pour in the prepared beef bone broth. If necessary, add more water until the ingredients are mostly submerged. (Approximately 1 liter of broth is ideal).
Step 13
Now, place the pot over high heat and bring it to a rolling boil. Covering the pot while boiling helps the flavors meld together better.
Step 14
Once the stew is bubbling vigorously, add the ramen noodles. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the noodles are tender but not mushy. Alternatively, you can add the noodles towards the end for a firmer texture, or cook them separately.
Step 15
While the photos might look simple, the actual taste is incredibly satisfying with its spicy, deep broth and generous toppings! This seasoning sauce ratio is truly the secret to delicious Budae Jjigae, so be sure to follow it!
