Easy Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew)
This rich and savory Budae Jjigae is loaded with spam, sausages, tofu, kimchi, and ramyeon noodles, all simmered in an umami-packed chili broth to pair with a bowl of warm rice. This comforting stew is delightfully simple to put together and makes for the perfect meal to share with your loved ones.
Ingredients
6 oz (1/2 can) spam
4 oz (2 medium) sausage hot dogs, bacon, pork belly, or ham
1/2 cup kimchi sliced, preferrably 2+ weeks old
1/2 onion sliced
1/2 tofu soft to medium-firm, sliced into 1/2-inch thickness
1/2 cup rice cakes thawed if frozen
2 oz mushrooms enoki, oyster, or shiitake
2 green onion chopped, for garnish
1 pack instant ramyeon noodles
1 slice cheese
4 cups chicken broth anchovy stock, dashi, or water
Sauce
2 tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) or to taste
4 cloves garlic minced
1 tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp fishsauce
1 tbsp mirin or 1/2 tbsp sugar
a pinch of black pepper
Instructions
Combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
Assemble the spam, tofu, mushrooms, sausages, rice cakes,
onion, and kimchi in a shallow pot. Add the sauce and chicken broth,
cover, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
When the stew starts to boil, reduce the heat to medium and cook for
about 5 minutes. Add the noodles and cheese, and boil for another
3-4 minutes until the noodles are cooked through.
Garnish with green onion and serve (if you like) with a bowl of steamed rice. Enjoy!