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  3. Budae Jjigae (Army Stew)
Delicious seafood stew bubbling in a black pot with steam rising indoors.

Spicy Korean stew with ramen, spam, and kimchi

Budae Jjigae (Army Stew)

Budae Jjigae (Army Stew)

30 minEasy

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

20 min

Total Time

30 min

Servings

4

4 servings

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

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Budae Jjigae (Army Stew)

Spicy Korean stew with ramen, spam, and kimchi

A bubbling cauldron of gochugaru-spiced broth loaded with ramen noodles, spam, hot dogs, baked beans, kimchi, and melted cheese. This gloriously chaotic Korean fusion stew was born from wartime ingenuity.

10m

Prep Time

20m

Cook Time

30m

Total Time

4

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Korean CuisineMain CourseSoup & Stew
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

October 17, 2024(Updated April 13, 2026)

Budae jjigae is a dish with a fascinating history. Created near U.S. military bases in post-war Korea, it transforms surplus American ingredients into something uniquely and deliciously Korean.

Why This Recipe Works

Building the broth on a base of kimchi and gochugaru gives it authentic Korean flavor despite the non-traditional ingredients. Adding ramen noodles last keeps them springy rather than mushy.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup kimchi, chopped
  • 6 oz spam, sliced
  • 2 packs instant ramen noodles (discard seasoning)
  • 1/2 cup baked beans
  • 2 tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
  • 2 slices American cheese

Instructions

  1. 1

    Arrange kimchi, sliced spam, hot dog slices, and baked beans in sections in a wide, shallow pot.

  2. 2

    Mix 4 cups water or anchovy broth with gochugaru, 1 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp garlic.

  3. 3

    Pour broth over the arranged ingredients and bring to a boil.

  4. 4

    Add ramen noodles and cook for 3 minutes until softened.

  5. 5

    Lay cheese slices on top, cover for 30 seconds until melted. Serve bubbling hot directly from the pot.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve over steamed jasmine or sticky rice

  • Pair with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi

  • Add a drizzle of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor

Substitutions

SpamTurkey lunch meat or tofu

Lighter protein options for a less indulgent version

American cheeseMozzarella

Melts similarly with a milder flavor

FlavorPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Gochugaru

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the gochugaru matters

This is not just generic chile heat. Gochugaru has a fruitier, cleaner flavor that makes the finished dish taste closer to what it is supposed to be.

The right chile flakes shift the flavor more than another garnish would.

  • Cleaner heat than standard chile flakes
  • Useful across Korean soups, sauces, and kimchi-style dishes

If you cook Korean food even occasionally, this pantry staple pulls a lot of weight.

Shop gochugaru for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Use aged, sour kimchi for the best depth of flavor in the broth.

  • Arrange ingredients neatly in sections before adding broth for the most photogenic presentation.

Storage

Best eaten immediately. Noodles absorb broth quickly if stored.

Reheating

Reheat broth and add fresh noodles. The original noodles will be too soft.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (45mg) · 4 servings

Calories480
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein18g
Carbohydrates22g
Fat52g
Fiber1200mg
Sugar3g
Sodium8g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make it healthier?
Use turkey spam, chicken sausage, and extra vegetables for a lighter version.
What kind of ramen noodles?
Shin Ramyun or any Korean instant ramen works well. Discard the seasoning packets.

Explore More

More Korean RecipesMore Main CourseMore Soup & StewStovetop Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

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