Spicy and Hearty ‘My Own’ Budae Jjigae Golden Recipe
How to Make Budae Jjigae at Home That’s Tastier Than Store-Bought
When you’re craving a comforting and spicy stew, make the best Budae Jjigae right in your own kitchen! Even famous YouTuber Dotty found store-bought Budae Jjigae unappetizing and asked for homemade. Reflecting its origins, the key to a delicious Budae Jjigae lies in its ‘American-style’ ingredients. The combination of ham, sausage, cheese, and baked beans creates a rich flavor, and the subtle hint of butter-like aroma is truly exceptional (though no actual butter is used!). Of course, adding ramen noodles, dumplings, or rice cakes can enhance the diverse flavors and textures, making it a satisfying meal. Following this recipe will result in a Budae Jjigae far tastier than any you can buy!
Main Ingredients- 1 cup well-fermented kimchi (chopped into bite-sized pieces)
- 3-4 slices Spam (sliced about 1cm thick)
- 1 sausage (20cm length, like Vienna or your favorite, sliced diagonally)
- 3 Tbsp baked beans (canned)
- 1/4 onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 Cheongyang pepper (sliced diagonally, adjust for spice level)
- 7-8 slices firm tofu (about 1.5cm thick)
- 2-4 frozen dumplings (optional)
- 1/2 pack ramen noodles
- 1 slice processed cheese
- 7-8 ladles anchovy-kelp broth (approx. 1.2L)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare a generous amount of anchovy-kelp broth. In a pot, combine about 1.5L of water with kelp and dried anchovies, and boil for 10 minutes to create a flavorful broth. It’s good to make a bit extra, as the broth might reduce during cooking, allowing you to adjust the consistency later.
Step 2
Now, it’s time to beautifully arrange all the star ingredients for your Budae Jjigae in the pot. In a shallow, wide pot, artfully place the chopped kimchi, Spam, sausages, tofu, and onion. If you prefer your ramen noodles slightly firm, consider placing the frozen dumplings at the bottom of the pot first, and add the ramen noodles a few minutes later to control their cooking time.
Step 3
Once the ingredients are arranged attractively, it’s time to add the seasoning and toppings that will enhance the flavor. In the center of the pot, add the minced garlic generously, and then top it with the slice of cheese. The melting cheese will add a wonderful richness to the broth. Add the Cheongyang pepper slices as desired for extra heat.
Step 4
Finally, create the seasoning paste by combining the soup soy sauce (or fish sauce), soy sauce, gochugaru, soju, sugar, ramen seasoning packet, and black pepper. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the ingredients in the pot. Now, bring it to a rolling boil over high heat for about 5 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together. Once it’s boiling vigorously, reduce the heat to medium and continue to simmer until it reaches your desired consistency. Your delicious Budae Jjigae is ready!
