Spam Kimchi Budae Jjigae: A Hearty and Flavorful Korean Stew
Spam Kimchi Stew with Rich Beef Bone Broth Base & Homemade Sauce Recipe
The star ingredient of Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew) is undeniably the delicious ham! Spam, a pantry staple for many, adds a rich depth of flavor from its pork fat and protein, making the stew incredibly savory. This recipe utilizes Spam, sausages, kimchi, and a convenient beef bone broth base to transform your kitchen into a Budae Jjigae hotspot. Enjoy a simple yet incredibly satisfying homemade stew!
Budae Jjigae Ingredients
- 600g Beef Bone Broth (for the base)
- 340g Spam (1 can)
- 3 sausages (your choice)
- 1 cup kimchi (chopped)
- 1/2 block firm tofu
- 1 stalk green onion
- 1/2 onion
- 1 slice cheddar cheese
Kimchi Budae Jjigae Sauce
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp guk-ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp guk-ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by preparing the vegetables. Slice the onion thinly to bring out its sweetness, and diagonally slice the green onion for a fresh, pungent flavor. Cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes.
Step 2
Kimchi is crucial for Budae Jjigae’s spicy kick. To avoid messy cutting boards and sticky hands, it’s best to use scissors to finely chop the kimchi into manageable pieces. If your kimchi is very sour, you can add a tiny pinch of sugar.
Step 3
Spam is the key ingredient for enhancing the stew’s umami. Open the can: mash half of the Spam with the back of a knife to enrich the broth, and slice the other half into desired pieces. Slice the sausages diagonally for better cooking and texture.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the special sauce that defines the Budae Jjigae’s taste! In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp guk-ganjang, 1 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined. This sauce is the secret to delicious Budae Jjigae!
Step 5
Arrange the prepared Budae Jjigae ingredients attractively in a large pot or Korean earthenware pot (ttukbaegi). Placing the Spam, sausages, kimchi, and tofu artfully will make the stew visually appealing.
Step 6
Pour the prepared special sauce into the center of the pot. It’s recommended to add about two-thirds of the sauce initially. Taste the stew as it cooks and add the remaining sauce gradually to achieve your preferred saltiness.
Step 7
Finally, place a slice of cheddar cheese on top of the stew to elevate its flavor. As the cheese melts, it will make the broth wonderfully creamy and rich. Now, pour in the 600g of beef bone broth, enough to cover the ingredients. Your base for the delicious Spam Kimchi Budae Jjigae is ready!
Step 8
Bring the stew to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the beef bone broth starts simmering, stir in the sauce, ensuring it’s well distributed throughout the broth. The saltiness can vary depending on the Spam, sausages, and the specific beef bone broth product used. Therefore, it’s important to taste and adjust the seasoning by adding more sauce as needed while it simmers. Enjoy your perfectly seasoned, hearty Budae Jjigae with a bowl of rice!
