Hearty Budae Jjigae with Holiday Jeon
Spicy and Refreshing Budae Jjigae Using Leftover Jeon and Ham
Don’t throw away those leftover Jeon from Chuseok! Transform them into a special Budae Jjigae with thinly sliced smoke ham and ramen, boasting a deliciously spicy and refreshing broth. This recipe is perfect for utilizing ingredients already in your fridge to create a rich and flavorful meal.
Main Ingredients- Assorted leftover holiday Jeon (various types) – a portion
- Thinly sliced smoke ham (or your preferred ham) – a suitable amount
- 1 pack of ramen noodles
Broth and Seasoning- 1 Tbsp Korean soup soy sauce (Gukganjang/Joseonganjiang)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (Gochugaru)
- 1 tsp red pepper oil (or perilla oil)
- Water – filling 1/2 of the pot
- 1 ramen seasoning packet
- 1 Tbsp Korean soup soy sauce (Gukganjang/Joseonganjiang)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (Gochugaru)
- 1 tsp red pepper oil (or perilla oil)
- Water – filling 1/2 of the pot
- 1 ramen seasoning packet
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the ingredients for the Budae Jjigae. Gather the leftover Jeon from your holiday feast. Using a variety of Jeon will add more complexity and deliciousness to your stew.
Step 2
Thinly slice the smoke ham into bite-sized pieces, roughly in a half-square shape. You can adjust the thickness or shape of the ham slices according to your preference.
Step 3
Pour water into the pot you’ll be using for the stew. Filling the pot about halfway is a good starting point. You can always add more water or let it reduce as it cooks, so don’t overfill it initially.
Step 4
To create a flavorful broth, add the seasonings. Combine 1 Tbsp of Korean soup soy sauce, 1 Tbsp of Gochugaru, and the entire ramen seasoning packet in the pot. Drizzle in 1 tsp of red pepper oil (or perilla oil) for an extra layer of aroma and taste.
Step 5
Bring the seasoned water to a rolling boil to develop the broth’s flavor. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Once boiling, add the ramen noodles and cook until they are about halfway done. Proceed to the next step when the noodles are partially cooked.
Step 6
As the ramen noodles are cooking, artfully arrange the prepared holiday Jeon on top of the noodles. Be gentle when placing the Jeon to prevent them from breaking apart.
Step 7
Next, layer the thinly sliced smoke ham evenly over the Jeon. As the ham cooks, its savory juices will release into the broth, enriching the overall flavor of the stew.
Step 8
Cover the pot and let the Budae Jjigae simmer for about 5 more minutes, allowing the ham to cook through and all the flavors to meld beautifully. Your delicious Budae Jjigae is now ready to be enjoyed!
