Korean Army Stew Style Ramen
A fusion comfort dish combining instant ramen with traditional kimchi, savory sausages, melted cheese, and tender shrimp in a rich, sweet and spicy broth.
Inspired by the bold flavors of traditional Korean budae jjigae, this quick ramen upgrade turns ordinary instant noodles into a rich, deeply satisfying meal. By sautéing kimchi and red onions as a flavor base and balancing gochujang with a touch of ketchup and honey, you get a wonderfully complex sweet, spicy, and tangy broth that coats every noodle.
Ingredients
- 1 pack instant noodles
- 1/2 cup kimchi
- 1/2 red onion
- 3 sausages
- 1/2 cup small white shrimp
- 2 tbsp Korean chili paste
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1/2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 2 cups hot water
Instructions
- 1Sauté Red Onions

Place sliced red onions into a small pot with a little oil and sauté over medium heat until they become soft and translucent.
Tip: Sautéing the onions first builds a sweet flavor base for the ramen broth. - 2Add Kimchi

Add kimchi directly into the pot with the softened red onions. Add more if you prefer a stronger kimchi flavor.
Tip: Adding kimchi early allows it to fry slightly with the onions, enhancing its savory depth. - 3Stir Kimchi and Onions

Use chopsticks or a spatula to stir the kimchi and onions together continuously until the mixture releases its aroma.
Tip: Stir well to prevent burning while the kimchi toasts slightly in the pan. - 4Add Sauce Mixture

Pour the prepared sauce mixture—consisting of two spoons of Korean chili paste, one spoon of soy sauce, one spoon of ketchup, and half a spoon of honey—into the pot.
Tip: The combination of chili paste, ketchup, and honey creates a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. - 5Combine Ingredients

Stir the sauce mixture thoroughly with the onions and kimchi until everything is fully combined and evenly coated.
Tip: Ensure the thick chili paste is well incorporated into the onion and kimchi base before adding liquids. - 6Pour Hot Water

Pour hot water directly into the pot over the seasoned kimchi and onion base, then bring the mixture to a boil.
Tip: Using hot water helps the soup base reach a boil much faster. - 7Add Instant Noodles

Place your favorite instant noodles directly into the pot containing the boiling red broth.
Tip: Ensure the broth is at a rolling boil before adding the noodles so they cook evenly. - 8Add Sliced Sausages

Slide the pre-sliced sausages from a metal tray directly into the pot along with the noodles.
Tip: Slicing the sausages evenly helps them absorb the flavors of the broth quickly. - 9Sprinkle Shredded Cheese

Evenly sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the noodles and ingredients simmering in the pot.
Tip: If you dont have cheese slices, shredded cheese works wonderfully to create a creamy texture. - 10Add Small White Shrimp

Add your personal favorite ingredient, small white shrimp, into the simmering stew and stir well.
Tip: Add the shrimp near the end of cooking so they stay tender and do not overcook.