Spicy Budae Jjigae (Army Stew) – The Ultimate Fridge-Cleanout Meal!
Spicy Budae Jjigae (Army Stew) – The Ultimate Fridge-Cleanout Meal!
Hearty and Delicious Baek Jong Won’s Budae Jjigae Golden Recipe Using Leftovers!
Are you wondering what to make with those bits and pieces of ingredients left in your fridge? When you’re craving a hearty, spicy soup, and have some soaked glass noodles and pork, it’s time for Budae Jjigae! Baek Jong Won’s recipe features beef bone broth for a rich, deep flavor, and I happen to have some on hand. Let’s get started on this Baek Jong Won-style Budae Jjigae! Don’t worry if you don’t have ham; you can make a delicious and satisfying stew with just the ingredients you have.
Main Ingredients- 2 handfuls soaked glass noodles (soaked in cold water for at least 30 minutes)
- 300g pork
- 250g chicken (or substitute with ham, sausages, etc.)
- 1 packet ramen noodles
- A bit of carrot (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 onion (sliced)
- A bit of green bell pepper (sliced, optional)
- 1/4 head aged kimchi (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Broth Ratio- Beef bone broth 1 : Water 2 (Total 3 cups, adjust consistency as desired)
Special Seasoning Sauce- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 heaping Tbsp minced garlic
- Beef bone broth 1 : Water 2 (Total 3 cups, adjust consistency as desired)
Special Seasoning Sauce- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 heaping Tbsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, mix all the ingredients for the special seasoning sauce together. Combine the beef bone broth and water in a 1:2 ratio, preparing about 3 cups in total. Soaking the glass noodles in cold water for at least 30 minutes will make them chewy later.
Step 2
While there’s no strict rule for Budae Jjigae ingredients, it’s typically made with tofu, ham, and sausages for a richer taste. Today, we’ll use the vegetables and meat we have, like pork and chicken, instead of ham. If you have ham or sausages, feel free to add them!
Step 3
My family loves the combination of glass noodles and ramen noodles – they say it’s the best! Neatly arrange the prepared ingredients (soaked glass noodles, pork, chicken, kimchi, carrot, onion, green bell pepper, etc.) in a hot pot.
Step 4
Once all the ingredients are in the pot, pour in the prepared beef bone broth and water mixture and bring it to a boil. Beef bone broth has a naturally rich flavor, so it’s best to adjust the seasoning to your personal taste by adding more water if needed. You can always add more seasoning later if it tastes bland.
Step 5
As the stew starts to boil vigorously, add about two-thirds of the special seasoning sauce you prepared earlier to give it flavor. It’s better to add a little at a time while simmering and tasting, rather than adding it all at once, to avoid over-salting.
Step 6
Once the seasoning has melded and the stew is simmering, add the long-awaited ramen noodles! The ramen noodles will make the broth even thicker and more delicious.
Step 7
When the ramen noodles are cooked and the broth has thickened nicely, taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with the remaining sauce if necessary. You can also add more kimchi or green onions according to your preference.
Step 8
My daughter, who was hungry after her exams, said this Budae Jjigae was pure healing and that she’d brag about it to her friends. Hearing her say that Mom’s home cooking is the best made me so happy. You don’t need specific ingredients for every delicious meal. Remember that you can create wonderful and tasty dishes using just the leftover ingredients in your fridge! Now that my fridge is empty, I can go grocery shopping with a light heart.
