Quick Kimchi Army Stew (Budae Jjigae)
Enjoy a comforting, 10-minute take on the iconic Korean army stew. Packed with savory spam, sausage, pork belly, and ramen noodles in a tangy, spicy kimchi broth.
Budae jjigae, or army stew, is a beloved Korean comfort food born from necessity and resourcefulness. This quick version streamlines the classic preparation while retaining the signature savory and spicy profile. It is the perfect hearty meal for when you want deep, complex flavors in a fraction of the usual cooking time.
Ingredients
- 200 g pork belly
- 200 g kimchi
- 100 g sausage
- 160 g spam
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 900 ml water
- 1 packet spicy ramen seasoning powder
- 2 blocks ramen noodles
Instructions
- 1Heat the pot
Add a spoonful of cooking oil into a stainless steel pot. Prepare to heat it over medium-low heat to begin frying the pork belly for the stew base.
Tip: Ensure the pot is dry before adding oil to prevent splattering. - 2Sear the pork belly
Add the prepared pork belly pieces into the preheated pot with oil. Fry over medium-low heat until the edges turn golden brown and the fat begins to render, providing a savory base for the stew.
Tip: Be patient while searing the pork; rendering the fat properly adds significantly more depth to the final broth. - 3Sauté the garlic
Once the pork belly is browned, add the minced garlic to the pot. Stir-fry briefly until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Tip: Adding the garlic after the pork ensures it infuses the rendered fat without becoming bitter. - 4Stir-fry the kimchi
Add the chopped kimchi along with its juice to the pot. Stir-fry over high heat with the pork and garlic until the kimchi softens and develops a deeper flavor.
Tip: Including the kimchi juice is key for a rich, tangy base for the stew. - 5Add water and boil
Pour nine hundred milliliters of water into the pot containing the stir-fried pork and kimchi. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil to form the base of your stew.
Tip: Use hot water to bring the stew to a boil faster if you want to save time. - 6Add meat components
Drop the sliced sausage and spam into the boiling broth. Allow the stew to continue cooking for about a minute so the flavors meld together.
Tip: Dont overcook the sausage and spam; they only need a short time to warm through in the flavorful broth. - 7Add seasoning
Once the stew is simmering, add a packet of spicy ramen seasoning powder to the pot. Stir well to incorporate the flavors into the broth and adjust the saltiness according to your taste.
Tip: Add the seasoning gradually if you prefer a milder flavor, or use the full packet for a bolder kick. - 8Add ramen noodles
Increase the heat to high and drop two blocks of ramen noodles into the boiling kimchi stew. Cook for approximately four minutes until the noodles reach your desired texture.
Tip: Avoid overcooking the noodles to keep them springy and delicious. - 9Cook and finish
Use a pair of tongs to gently stir the softening ramen noodles into the spicy broth. Ensure they are fully submerged and cooked through before serving the stew immediately.
Tip: Using tongs helps separate the noodles evenly without breaking them too much.
