Korean Army Stew (Buldae Jjigae)

Korean Army Stew, or Budae Jjigae, is a hearty dish that blends Korean and American ingredients. It originated during the Korean War and has since become a popular comfort food. This flavorful stew comes together in under 20 minutes and features a variety of proteins like Spam and hot dogs, carbs like instant noodles, and veggies like bok choy and mushrooms. If you’re looking for a comforting and shareable meal, definitely give this Korean Army Stew recipe a try!

Korean Army Stew Ingredients

2 tbsp gochujang
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp gochugaru
1 tsp sugar
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
1/2 block firm tofu, sliced
1/2 can Spam, sliced
A handful of bok choy
Enoki mushrooms
2 hot dogs, sliced
1/2 cup kimchi (optional but recommended)
2-3 cups water or chicken broth
1 pack instant ramen noodles
1 slice American cheese
Green onions, chopped

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix gochujang, soy sauce, garlic, gochugaru, and sugar. Set aside.

In a large, shallow pot or pan, layer sliced onions across the bottom. Arrange tofu, Spam, bok choy, mushrooms, hot dogs, and kimchi neatly around the pot.

Pour in enough water or chicken broth to almost cover the ingredients. Place the ramen noodles in the center, on top.
Spoon the seasoning paste over the ingredients. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Simmer for about 7–8 minutes, until the noodles are cooked and everything is heated through.

Place the slice of cheese on top. Cover for another 1–2 minutes, just until melted. Sprinkle with chopped green onions before serving.

Korean Army Stew Storage

Let the stew cool down, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. When you’re ready to eat it again, reheat the stew and add fresh instant noodles to prevent them from getting soggy during storage.

If you enjoyed this Korean army stew recipe, you might also like this Vietnamese catfish soup recipe.