Spicy Budae Jjigae (Army Stew) – Super Simple, No Broth Needed!
Make Baek Jong Won’s Delicious Army Stew at Home (Rich Flavor Without Broth!)
Perfect for a chilly, rainy day! This recipe for Baek Jong Won’s Budae Jjigae uses canned meats and sausages to create a deep, savory flavor without the need for a separate broth. While canned hams have a long shelf life, always check the expiration dates on vacuum-sealed sausages. I happened to have some soon-to-expire Vienna sausages and decided to make this hearty stew. The generous ingredients and spicy broth are incredibly satisfying, perfect with a bowl of rice. Measurements are based on standard adult Korean soup spoons.
Main Ingredients- 1 can Spam or Richest (canned ham)
- 10 Vienna sausages
- 2 Tbsp Baked beans
- 50g Ground pork
- 1/2 paper cup equivalent of ripe kimchi (approx. 100g)
- 1/4 onion
- 1 stalk green onion
- 1 slice Cheddar cheese
- 1 packet instant ramen noodles
- 700ml Water (approx. 3.5 cups)
Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 1/2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/2 Tbsp Doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gukganjang (Korean soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking rice wine)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 1/2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/2 Tbsp Doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gukganjang (Korean soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking rice wine)
- A pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your meats and vegetables. Slice the Spam or Richest into approximately 5mm thick pieces. Cut the Vienna sausages in half lengthwise. Chop the green onion into 5cm lengths and split them lengthwise. Thinly slice the onion into 5mm thick strips. Chop the ripe kimchi into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2
Arrange the prepared ingredients in a large pot: the sliced ham, sausages, baked beans, ground pork, kimchi, onion, and green onion. Place them aesthetically, as they will be the base of your stew.
Step 3
In a separate small bowl, combine all the seasoning ingredients: gochugaru, gochujang, doenjang, gukganjang, minced garlic, mirin, and black pepper. These are the flavor powerhouses for your Budae Jjigae.
Step 4
Mix the seasoning ingredients thoroughly with a spoon until a well-combined paste is formed. Preparing the seasoning mix beforehand ensures a deeper and richer flavor profile for the broth.
Step 5
Pour the 700ml of water into the pot with the main ingredients. Then, carefully spoon the prepared seasoning paste over the ingredients in the pot. This method allows the seasoning to dissolve gradually as it simmers, creating a wonderfully balanced broth.
Step 6
Now, bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat slightly to let the Budae Jjigae simmer gently and develop its flavors.
Step 7
Let it simmer for about 5 minutes. You’ll notice the flavors from the ham and sausages start to infuse into the broth, making it richer. Add the instant ramen noodles and cook until they are almost done. Just before serving, place the slice of cheddar cheese on top. As the cheese melts, all the delicious flavors will meld together, completing your Baek Jong Won’s Budae Jjigae! Serve immediately while piping hot.
