Rich and Hearty Budae Jjigae: A Homemade ‘Nolbu’ Style Delight
Effortless Budae Jjigae Recipe That Rivals the Taste of ‘Nolbu Budae Jjigae’!
There are days when you crave a deeply flavorful budae jjigae (Korean Army Stew) brimming with various processed meats. I particularly love the distinct taste of ‘Nolbu Budae Jjigae,’ and I’m thrilled to share a simple way to recreate that beloved flavor at home. This recipe has been approved by my family and friends – give it a try!
Budae Jjigae Ingredients
- Beef bone broth (or similar rich stock): Generous amount
- Assorted processed meats for Budae Jjigae: Generous amount
- Onion: 1/2 (thinly sliced)
- Green onion (or scallion): 1/2 stalk (cut diagonally)
- Kimchi: About 1/4 of a small head (chopped into bite-sized pieces)
- Pork belly slices (thinly sliced): 30g
- Tofu: About 1/4 block (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Sari Gomtang ramen soup packet: 1 packet (for broth enhancement)
- Minced garlic: 3 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes): 3 Tbsp
- Fish sauce (or anchovy sauce): 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce for soup (Gukganjang): 1 Tbsp
- Black pepper: To taste
- Ramen noodles: 1/2 packet (adjust to your preference)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the ingredients that will make our Budae Jjigae rich and satisfying. Thinly slice the onion into strips about 0.5 cm thick. Cut the green onion diagonally into about 5 cm lengths. If using scallions, you can simply cut them in half lengthwise.
Step 2
For the kimchi, choose one that isn’t overly sour. Chop about a quarter of a small head into 2-3 cm pieces. Using too much kimchi can make the stew taste more like kimchi jjigae, so keep the amount moderate. To add depth to the broth, include about 30g of thinly sliced pork belly. If you have any leftover tofu, cut about a quarter block into 1.5 cm cubes and add it to the stew.
Step 3
The star of Budae Jjigae is, of course, the processed meats! Don’t skimp on them – generously add your favorite types. While restaurant portions can sometimes feel lacking, making it at home allows you to load it up as much as you like. I’m using a No Brand canned ham that tastes similar to Spam, along with a mixed pack of processed meats specifically for Budae Jjigae.
Step 4
Now, for the secret to a rich broth: the liquid base. While beef bone broth is traditional, here’s a fantastic tip from a friend for when you don’t have any on hand – the ‘Sari Gomtang ramen soup packet’! It adds a wonderfully deep flavor, comparable to beef bone broth. Today, we’ll use both for an extra layer of deliciousness.
Step 5
Let’s make the seasoning paste for our Budae Jjigae. In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp of minced garlic, 3 Tbsp of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), 1 packet of Sari Gomtang ramen soup, 1 Tbsp of soup soy sauce (gukganjang), and 1 Tbsp of fish sauce. Add a pinch of black pepper and mix everything thoroughly. The fish sauce adds umami, and the soup soy sauce contributes to the broth’s depth.
Step 6
And there you have it – our delicious Budae Jjigae seasoning paste! Doesn’t it look appetizing?
Step 7
Now, it’s time to artfully arrange all the prepared ingredients in a wide, deep pot. Look at all that meat – it’s already looking wonderfully generous! Loading up on ingredients is one of the best parts of making Budae Jjigae at home.
Step 8
Once the ingredients are nicely arranged, add the seasoning paste. Instead of dumping it all in at once, start with about half of the paste. Then, pour in the beef bone broth. If you enjoy a lot of broth, feel free to add more. If you don’t have beef bone broth, you can prepare a broth by dissolving the Sari Gomtang soup packet in hot water. It’s best to start with half the seasoning and broth, then taste and adjust as it cooks. I added about half the seasoning and a generous amount of broth today, and the seasoning was perfect for my palate.
Step 9
Now, cover the pot and let it simmer over medium heat until it boils. As soon as it starts boiling, a wonderful aroma of Budae Jjigae will fill your kitchen. Get ready for the delicious anticipation!
Step 10
Wow, doesn’t this look incredibly appetizing? The rich aroma wafting out as it simmers makes you even hungrier. Once the stew comes to a boil, be sure to taste it and add more seasoning if needed – perhaps the remaining paste, a little salt, or more soup soy sauce. It’s amazing how easily you can achieve such a restaurant-quality taste at home.
Step 11
As the stew beautifully simmers, it’s time to add the ramen noodles! To make it a truly satisfying meal, ramen is a must. If you want to avoid getting too full, just add half a packet. The noodles will cook in the flavorful broth, making them even more delicious.
Step 12
Served with a bowl of hot rice, this Budae Jjigae will have you finishing your entire meal in no time! It’s also a fantastic dish to enjoy with a drink. Above all, the clean yet deeply rich and slightly spicy broth is truly exceptional. This is a top-notch Budae Jjigae recipe you should definitely try at home!
