Spicy and Hearty Budae Jjigae (Army Stew) – Foolproof Recipe!
Spicy and Hearty Budae Jjigae (Army Stew) – Foolproof Recipe!
Mastering Budae Jjigae at Home: A Deliciously Easy Guide
Craving a warm, comforting soup on a chilly day? Look no further than this hearty Budae Jjigae! Packed with sausages, ham, dumplings, rice cakes, and ramen noodles, this bubbling stew is perfect for sharing with your family. This recipe guarantees a rich and satisfying flavor that rivals your favorite restaurant’s version.
Hearty Ingredients- Spam 200g (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Assorted sausages or ham 200g (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Firm Tofu 1 block (cut into cubes)
- Napa Cabbage Kimchi to taste (chopped)
- Onion 1/2 (thinly sliced)
- Scallion 1 (cut diagonally)
- Rice Cakes (Tteokbokki rice cakes or your preferred type) sufficient amount
- Ramen Noodles 1 packet (or to your preference)
Spicy Seasoning Mix- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 3 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Sugar 2 Tbsp (adjust based on kimchi’s sourness)
- Black Pepper a pinch
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 3 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Sugar 2 Tbsp (adjust based on kimchi’s sourness)
- Black Pepper a pinch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare a deep and wide pot or a wok for your Budae Jjigae. This will prevent the ingredients from boiling over and ensure they cook evenly.
Step 2
Arrange all the prepared ingredients beautifully in the pot: the sliced Spam, sausages, tofu, kimchi, onion, and scallions. If you’re adding rice cakes or dumplings, place them in the pot now as well.
Step 3
In a small bowl, combine the Gochujang, Gochugaru, minced garlic, soy sauce, sugar, and black pepper. Mix well to create the seasoning paste. Having the seasoning ready beforehand makes adjusting the flavor while cooking much easier.
Step 4
Pour the broth (water, anchovy broth, or beef bone broth) into the pot with the ingredients. Dissolve the prepared seasoning paste into the broth and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer until all the ingredients are tender and well-cooked. Simmering thoroughly is key to developing a rich, deep flavor, especially from the kimchi.
Step 5
When the stew is bubbling and the ingredients are cooked, add your choice of noodles – ramen, glass noodles, or udon – and cook until done. Enjoy your delicious Budae Jjigae! Adding some fresh scallions at the end can enhance the flavor.
