Vegetarian Korean Army Stew (Budae Jigae)
Enjoy a cozy, comforting vegetarian take on the classic Korean army stew. This savory, spicy pot is packed with tofu, kimchi, and vegan luncheon meat.
Korean army stew, or Budae Jigae, is a beloved comfort food born out of necessity and creativity. This vegetarian version captures the same deeply satisfying, spicy, and savory character as the original by utilizing well-fermented kimchi, hearty tofu, and flavorful vegan meat alternatives. It is the perfect one-pot meal for sharing with friends on a cold winter day.
Ingredients
- 200 g tofu
- 150 g vegan luncheon meat
- 150 g kimchi
- 100 g enoki mushrooms
- 100 g bean sprouts
- 2 potatoes
- 1 green pepper
- 1 pack instant noodles
- 2 tbsp vegan hot sauce
- to taste seasonings
- 500 ml boiling water
Instructions
- 1Pan-fry the potatoes
Add a small amount of oil to a heated pan and place the potato pieces in a single layer. Pan-fry them until they are slightly browned on both sides, which will add a nice texture and flavor base to the stew.
Tip: Fry them just until lightly browned; they will continue to soften once the broth is added. - 2Add vegetables
Layer the fresh bean sprouts and a bundle of enoki mushrooms directly into the pot on top of the pan-fried potatoes. These vegetables will absorb the flavors of the stew as they cook.
Tip: Spread the vegetables out evenly to ensure they cook consistently. - 3Arrange the proteins
Neatly arrange the tofu slices and vegan luncheon meat around the inner edges of the pot. Placing them in an orderly fashion makes the dish look appetizing and ensures they are easy to serve.
Tip: Using vegan luncheon meat is a great way to replicate the classic texture of army stew while keeping it vegetarian. - 4Add seasoning sauce
Spread the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the vegetables and protein ingredients arranged in the pot to ensure uniform flavor.
Tip: Add the sauce gradually to avoid over seasoning the stew at this stage. - 5Add broth base
Carefully pour an appropriate amount of boiling water into the pot to submerge the ingredients and integrate the sauce. The hot water helps the stew begin simmering immediately.
Tip: Using boiling water speeds up the cooking process compared to cold water. - 6Add kimchi and simmer
Place a generous portion of your homemade kimchi into the center of the pot. Cover with a lid and let the stew boil to allow the flavors to meld together perfectly.
Tip: Kimchi is the essential flavor component of this army stew, so use a good, well-fermented batch. - 7Garnish the stew
Once the stew has reached the desired consistency and the flavors have melded, sprinkle chopped green peppers over the top as a final garnish for a pop of color and freshness.
Tip: Add the green peppers right before serving to keep them bright and slightly crisp. - 8Add the instant noodles
When the stew is nearly done, place a block of instant noodles directly into the center of the pot. The noodles will absorb the rich, spicy broth, becoming the soul of this dish.
Tip: Dont overcook the noodles; they should be slightly chewy when served. - 9Prepare the sauce
In a small bowl, combine your vegan hot sauce, seasonings, and a splash of hot water. Stir the mixture thoroughly until it forms a smooth, consistent paste ready to be spread over the stew ingredients.
Tip: Ensure the paste is smooth so it distributes evenly when added to the pot, and be careful not to make it too salty at this stage.
