Hearty Budae Jjigae (Army Stew) with Abundant Ham and Kimchi
Spicy and Deep Flavored Budae Jjigae
We’ve made Budae Jjigae packed with ham, kimchi, and even ramen noodles! This version uses beef bone broth for a rich and refreshing soup. It’s a truly satisfying and flavorful stew.
Key Ingredients for Budae Jjigae
- 1 block of tofu
- 1/4 head of aged kimchi
- 10 Vienna sausages
- 1 small can of Spam
- 1 onion
- 1/2 stalk of green onion
- 150g of mushroom (e.g., King Oyster Mushroom)
- 1 packet of ramen noodles
- 1 liter of beef bone broth (or anchovy broth)
Budae Jjigae Seasoning Paste
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or rice wine)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or rice wine)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all your ingredients. Dice the tofu and Spam into roughly 1.5cm cubes. Slice the mushroom into similar lengths. Thinly slice the onion into strips. Cut the green onion diagonally. Score the Vienna sausages with cross-shaped cuts; this helps them cook evenly and absorb flavor.
Step 2
Chop the aged kimchi into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm). Using well-fermented kimchi will give the stew a deeper, richer flavor.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the essential seasoning paste for the Budae Jjigae. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of gochujang, 2 tablespoons of gochugaru, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of cooking wine. Mix them thoroughly with a spoon until well combined.
Step 4
In a large, deep pot, arrange the prepared tofu, Spam, kimchi, onion, mushrooms, and Vienna sausages attractively. Set aside the ramen noodles and green onions for later.
Step 5
Evenly spread the prepared seasoning paste over the ingredients in the pot. This ensures the flavors distribute well.
Step 6
Carefully pour the 1 liter of beef bone broth around the edges of the pot. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, stir gently with a spoon or ladle to distribute the seasoning paste evenly throughout the broth.
Step 7
When the stew comes to a rolling boil, add the ramen noodle soup base (if included with your ramen packet) for extra umami, and stir again to mix.
Step 8
Finally, add the diagonally sliced green onions and simmer for another moment. The fresh, mild flavor of the green onions will add a clean finish to the soup.
Step 9
Taste the broth during cooking and add salt if necessary to adjust the seasoning. The amount needed will depend on the saltiness of your kimchi.
Step 10
Just before serving, when the stew is bubbling happily, add the ramen noodles. Cook until the noodles are perfectly tender. Adding them at the very end prevents them from becoming mushy. Enjoy your delicious Budae Jjigae!
