Korean Army Stew (Budae Jjigae)

A rich and comforting Korean army stew packed with instant ramen, savory spam, kimchi, and baked pork belly in a bubbling, spicy red broth.

Ingredients

• 300 g pork belly
• 3 cloves garlic
• 3 slices ginger
• 1 tbsp plum syrup
• 1 tsp white sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 2 tbsp Korean spicy paste
• 1 pack instant noodles
• 1 slice yellow cheese
• 150 g kimchi
• 100 g spam
• 100 g tofu
• 1 green squash
• 4 shiitake mushrooms
• 6 meatballs
• 4 crab sticks
• 4 fried wheat gluten rolls
• 1 onion
• 2 stalks green onions
• 1 tbsp beef powder
• 1 tbsp Korean fine chili powder
• to taste boiling water

Instructions

1. 1Slice and transfer the pork belly

   

   Place the pork belly slices on a wooden cutting board and cut them into smaller portions before transferring them into a stainless steel bowl.

   Tip: Cut the pork belly uniformly so it renders fat evenly during cooking.
2. 2Marinate the pork belly

   

   Add ginger slices, garlic, and the specified seasonings into the bowl with the pork belly slices, then mix thoroughly by hand using a glove.

   Tip: Ensure the marinade is evenly distributed across all pieces of pork belly for maximum flavor.
3. 3Transfer Marinated Pork Belly

   

   Using chopsticks, pick up the marinated pork belly pieces and carefully transfer them into a white baking dish, spreading them out evenly.

   Tip: Arrange the pieces in a single layer so they bake evenly and render fat efficiently.
4. 4Prepare the sauce

   

   Add the liquid and powdered seasonings into a white bowl using a spoon and mix well to create the army stew sauce.

   Tip: Mix the sauce ingredients thoroughly beforehand to make sure the seasonings dissolve and blend well.
5. 5Chop garlic cloves

   

   Chop the garlic cloves on a wooden cutting board placed next to a black pan in preparation for cooking.

   Tip: Chop the garlic finely to release its full aroma when stir-frying.
6. 6Cut kimchi into the pan

   

   Use kitchen shears to cut red kimchi directly into a black pan that already contains chopped onions and green onions.

   Tip: Cutting kimchi with shears directly over the pan saves time and keeps your cutting board clean.
7. 7Stir-Fry Aromatics and Kimchi

   

   Add a small amount of oil into a black frying pan over heat, then add the chopped scallions, garlic, onions, and spicy kimchi. Use a spatula to stir-fry the mixture until it becomes fragrant and aromatic.

   Tip: Sautéing the kimchi and aromatics first creates a deep, flavorful base flavor profile for the entire stew.
8. 8Layer Cabbage and Ingredients

   

   Once the base aromatics are aromatic, lower the heat slightly and arrange a neat circle of round cabbage slices inside the pan on top of the stir-fried base.

   Tip: Laying down cabbage first creates a natural barrier and adds sweetness to the broth as it simmers.
9. 9Assemble Stew Ingredients

   

   Arrange the remaining ingredients—including tofu slices, green squash slices, shiitake mushrooms, meatballs, and sliced luncheon meat—neatly around the pan.

   Tip: Group similar ingredients together for a visually appealing presentation before pouring in the sauce and liquid.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions