Spicy & Hearty Army Stew Ramen: Quick & Easy Recipe for Solo Diners
The Ultimate Budget-Friendly Army Ramen Stew Recipe, Perfect for a Quick Meal
I was looking for a simple yet satisfying snack to enjoy with a drink and stumbled upon this fantastic recipe! This Army Ramen Stew is not only a great appetizer for drinks but also a delicious side dish for rice. Let’s get started with this easy and flavorful recipe!
Ingredients
- 1/2 head of Napa Cabbage Kimchi
- 1 can of Spam or Luncheon Meat
- 3 Frankfurters
- 200g Pork (shoulder or belly recommended)
- 2 packets of instant ramen
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by preparing all your ingredients. Chop the kimchi into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm wide), removing any excess core. Slice the Spam or luncheon meat into 0.7-1 cm thick pieces, either diagonally or into rounds. Cut the pork into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4 cm). If you have them, feel free to add garlic, green onions, or onions for extra flavor!
Step 2
Select a deep pot or a wide stew pot. Preheat the pot over high heat. Warming the pot thoroughly ensures the ingredients cook evenly and absorb flavors better.
Step 3
Add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil to the preheated pot. Then, add the chopped kimchi and stir-fry over high heat for about 2-3 minutes, until the kimchi becomes tender and fragrant. This step really brings out its delicious flavor.
Step 4
Once the kimchi has released some of its juices and starts to soften, add the pork. Stir-fry the pork with the kimchi for about 1-2 minutes, just until the meat is no longer pink on the outside. It doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this stage.
Step 5
When the pork is mostly cooked through and has lost its pink color, add the sliced Spam/luncheon meat and frankfurters. Continue to stir-fry everything together for another 1-2 minutes. Lightly browning the processed meats will add extra depth of flavor.
Step 6
Now that your base ingredients are nicely sautéed, pour in enough water or broth to cover the ingredients about halfway. Since the kimchi and processed meats will release saltiness, it’s best to start with a moderate amount of liquid and add more later if needed, rather than making it too watery from the start.
Step 7
Once the liquid comes to a boil, add the seasoning packets from the two instant ramen packages. Stir well to dissolve the soup base. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 6 minutes. This allows all the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 8
Finally, add the two packs of ramen noodles to the pot. Gently loosen the noodles so they don’t clump together. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the noodles are ‘al dente’ (chewy and slightly firm). Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become mushy. Serve immediately and enjoy this delightful, hearty stew!