Korean Army Stew (Budae Jjigae)

A comforting, bubbling hot pot of Korean Army Stew filled with savory meats, fresh vegetables, rice cakes, and rich gochujang broth.

Ingredients

• 1 red onion
• 150 g napa cabbage
• 1 zucchini
• 1 enoki mushrooms
• 1 block firm tofu
• 150 g rice cakes
• 200 g rolled beef slices
• 2 tbsp Korean hot pepper paste
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 can green soda
• 1 cup clear water

Instructions

1. 1Arrange sliced red onions at the bottom

   

   Take the sliced red onion pieces and arrange them neatly at the bottom of the earthenware pot to form a flavorful base for the stew.

   Tip: Laying onions at the bottom prevents other ingredients from burning and adds sweetness to the broth as it heats.
2. 2Add napa cabbage and zucchini

   

   Layer pieces of napa cabbage and sliced zucchini into the pot alongside the onions.

   Tip: Arrange the vegetables around the edges of the pot to leave space for the remaining ingredients.
3. 3Add enoki mushrooms

   

   Place a bunch of fresh enoki mushrooms on top of the bed of vegetables inside the pot.

   Tip: Trim the root ends of the enoki mushrooms and gently separate them before adding.
4. 4Arrange firm tofu slices

   

   Carefully place slices of firm tofu into the pot alongside the mushrooms and vegetables.

   Tip: Handle the tofu gently to prevent the slices from breaking apart.
5. 5Add rice cakes

   

   Add white cylindrical rice cakes into the pot among the other arranged ingredients.

   Tip: Soak the rice cakes in water beforehand if they are frozen or hard.
6. 6Add rolled beef slices

   

   Place rolled beef slices into the pot with the vegetables, tofu, and rice cakes.

   Tip: Arrange the beef neatly so it cooks evenly once the broth is added.
7. 7Mix the savory red sauce

   

   In a glass bowl, combine two spoons of Korean hot pepper paste, one spoon of ketchup, one spoon of salt, one spoon of light soy sauce, and a can of green soda, mixing them thoroughly together.

   Tip: Using green soda adds a unique sweetness and tenderness to the sauce mixture.
8. 8Pour sauce over ingredients

   

   Take the prepared red sauce mixture from the bowl and pour it evenly over the layered ingredients inside the earthenware pot.

   Tip: Ensure the sauce covers the toppings well so the flavors infuse evenly during cooking.
9. 9Add clear water

   

   Pour a cup of clear water directly into the pot over the ingredients and the previously added sauce to create the cooking liquid for the stew.

   Tip: Do not add too much water to keep the sauce rich and flavorful.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions