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| Korean army stew Budaejjigae |
Budaejjigae Recipe
Budaejjigae, which originated from stews made with sausages and ham commonly found near U.S. military bases during the Korean War, has now established itself as a Korean dish boasting a rich flavor with a variety of ingredients. A beloved stew among Koreans, Budaejjigae typically requires many ingredients and a lengthy cooking time, making it more commonly enjoyed at restaurants. The recipe presented here is designed to be simple while maintaining the delicious taste found in restaurants. You can easily make Budae Jjigae using various leftover ingredients from your fridge, such as ham, sausages, mushrooms, and vegetables.
Ingredients (Serves 2-3)
(Measurements: tablespoon)
- Green onions: 2 stalks
- Tofu: 1 block
- Spam: 2/3 block (1 whole needed)
- Bacon: 5 strips
- Sausage: 4 pieces
- Oyster mushrooms: a handful
- Enoki mushrooms: a handful
- Ramen noodles: 1 serving
- Slice of cheese: 1
- Cheongyang pepper: 1
- Store-bought beef bone broth: 500ml
- Water: 400ml
Seasoning Ingredients
- Spam: 1/3 block
- Ground pork: 150g
- Minced garlic: 2 tablespoons
- Doenjang (fermented soybean paste): 1 tablespoon
- Gochujang (red chili paste): 1 tablespoon
- Gochugaru (red chili powder): 2 tablespoons
- Gukganjang (soy sauce for soup): 2 tablespoons
- Cooking wine: 1 tablespoon
- Ground black pepper: a pinch
- Beef dashi powder: 1/2 tablespoon
- Onion: 1/2
Making the Seasoning
The seasoning is the most crucial step in determining the taste of Budaejjigae. Even with many ingredients, if the seasoning is lacking or doesn’t suit your taste, the stew won't be delicious. Below is a simple method to create a flavorful seasoning mix.
Combine all the seasoning ingredients in a bag and gently knead to mix well. Start by adding the meat first, and add the grated onion later after the other ingredients are mixed. The remaining seasoning ingredients can be added in any order. Typically, meat and ham are cooked separately in the stew, but mixing them with the seasoning allows the flavors to meld and enhances the overall meatiness of the stew.
- Place 1/3 block (60g) of Spam into a bag and crush it with your hands, then add 150g of ground pork.
- On top of the crushed Spam and ground pork, add 2 tablespoons of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of doenjang, 1 tablespoon of gochujang, 2 tablespoons of gochugaru, 2 tablespoons of gukganjang, 1 tablespoon of cooking wine, a pinch of black pepper, and 1/2 tablespoon of beef dashi powder. Grate 1/2 onion into the bag and shake well to combine.
- Gather the well-mixed seasoning into a round shape, seal the bag tightly, and let it marinate in the refrigerator for about 6 hours.
Preparing the Ingredients
- Cut 2 green onions in half and then into large pieces about 5-7 cm long.
- Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces.
- Use the remaining Spam (from the seasoning) and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
- Cut the bacon into small pieces.
- For the sausages, cut half lengthwise into thin strips and the other half into bite-sized pieces. Using various cuts adds visual appeal and texture to the dish. For the authentic taste of Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae, it is recommended to use affordable old-fashioned sausages rather than expensive gourmet ones.
- Chop 3 tablespoons of kimchi finely.
Cooking Process
- In a pot, arrange the prepared ingredients (2 green onions, 1 block of tofu, 2/3 block of Spam, 5 strips of bacon, and 4 sausages) nicely.
- In the center of the pot, add the marinated seasoning and top it with 3 tablespoons of finely chopped kimchi.
- Tear and add a handful of oyster mushrooms.
- Pour in 500ml of beef bone broth and 400ml of water, then turn on the heat to bring it to a boil.
- Once the broth starts boiling, mix the seasoning well. Stir gently to avoid breaking the ingredients apart.
- When the stew starts bubbling, add 1 serving of ramen noodles and a handful of enoki mushrooms.
- Note: Baked beans are often used in western dishes and are not commonly found in households. Recently, small cans of baked beans have become available for home use; you can use one serving and freeze the remaining beans for later use.
- Note: Baked beans are often used in western dishes and are not commonly found in households. Recently, small cans of baked beans have become available for home use; you can use one serving and freeze the remaining beans for later use.
- If you prefer a spicier stew, add 1 finely chopped Cheongyang pepper.
- Since Spam and sausages can be greasy, adding a small amount of Cheongyang pepper can cut through the richness.
- Since Spam and sausages can be greasy, adding a small amount of Cheongyang pepper can cut through the richness.
- If desired, top with a slice of cheese just before serving.
Tips
Here are some tips for enjoying authentic Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae even moreTip 1
You can add various noodles for a more enjoyable experience, such as sweet potato noodles, chewy noodles, or udon. If using sweet potato noodles, soak them in water before cooking. You can also add dumplings or rice cakes for extra flavor.Tip 2
Just before turning off the heat, taste the broth; if it’s bland, adjust the seasoning with gukganjang.This Budae Jjigae recipe is perfect for family meals or as a dish to enjoy with friends. On cool, rainy days, a warm bowl of Budae Jjigae is highly recommended.
Feel free to ask if you need any more help!
