Korean Army Stew (Spam & Ramen Spicy Fusion Pot)
Quick answer
- Total time
- 40 min
- Level
- Easy
- Servings
- 4 servings
- Ingredients
- 12
About this dish
Budae jjigae loads Spam, sausages, instant ramen noodles, rice cakes, tofu, and kimchi into a single pot of gochugaru-and-gochujang broth.
Read more
It originated near U.S. military bases in Uijeongbu after the Korean War, where American surplus rations met Korean pantry staples in the same pot. Each ingredient behaves differently in the heat - rice cakes stay chewy, ramen noodles turn springy, tofu softens into the broth - while the spicy, deeply seasoned stock ties them together. The noodles soak up the broth as the pot cooks down, keeping each bowl satisfying to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
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Instructions
Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.
- 1Prep
Slice 200g of Spam and 4 sausages into thin 0.5cm pieces to release their savory fats into the broth, then cut half a block of tofu into thick, bite-size cubes for a soft texture.
- 2Prep
Spread 200g of kimchi at the bottom of a wide pot, then arrange the sliced Spam, sausages, tofu, and 150g of rice cakes neatly in sections to create a visually appealing display.
- 3Season
Combine 2 tablespoons of gochugaru, 1 tablespoon of gochujang, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic in a small bowl, stirring thoroughly until the paste is smooth and deep red.
- 4Control
Place the prepared seasoning paste in the center of the pot, carefully pour 1000ml of water along the edges to avoid disturbing the arrangement, and bring it to a vigorous boil over high heat.
- 5Control
Once the pot is boiling, gently dissolve the seasoning into the broth with a ladle, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes to extract the savory flavors from the meats.
- 6Heat
Add 2 packs of instant noodles and cook for 3 more minutes until they reach a springy texture, then scatter 2 sliced green onions on top to add a fresh aroma before serving.
Practical Cooking Checks
The cues that matter most while cooking.
- Key technique
- Salty Spam and sausages clash with sharp kimchi acidity in a spicy budae jjigae.
- Finish cue
- Slice 200g of Spam and 4 sausages into thin 0.5cm pieces to release their savory fats into the broth, then cut half a block of tofu into thick, bite-size cubes for a soft texture.
- Avoid this
- Place the prepared seasoning paste in the center of the pot, carefully pour 1000ml of water along the edges to avoid disturbing the arrangement, and bring it to a vigorous boil over high heat.
Cooking decision evidence
Calculated Charim data and applicable official cooking and food safety guidance.
This recipe
40min, 12 ingredients
Category median
35min, 9 ingredients
Based on 122 recipes
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Korean Uijeongbu-Style Budae Jjigae
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Kimchi, Tofu
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Kimchi, Tofu
Tips
Estimated nutrition (per serving)
Variations
Seoul-Style Army Stew
Seoul-style army stew balances ham and vegetables for a savory yet clean profile. It becomes even better with ramen noodles in the rich broth.
Ham-Packed Budae Jjigae
This ham-heavy budae jjigae leans into a salty, rich flavor profile. It becomes extra satisfying when simmered with ramen noodles.