Korean Army Stew
Budae jjigae, also known as Korean Army Stew, is the kind of dish that makes sense the moment it hits the table. It’s built for sharing, cooked in one pot, and meant to stay bubbling while everyone digs in. Ramen softens into the broth, cheese melts into everything, and each scoop tastes a little different than the last. It scales easily, requires minimal prep, and turns familiar pantry ingredients into something comforting and satisfying, which makes it perfect for groups and casual gatherings.
The stew traces its roots back to post–Korean War Korea, when cooks relied on surplus foods from U.S. military bases like SPAM, hot dogs, baked beans, and processed cheese. Combined with kimchi, gochujang, garlic, and broth, those ingredients became budae jjigae, or “army base stew.” What began as food born out of necessity evolved into a beloved comfort dish that celebrates creativity, resourcefulness, and the power of pantry staples to bring people together.
Ingredients
2 tbsp sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, sliced
Sauce
2 tbsp gochujang
1 tbsp gochugaru
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp black pepper
4 cups anchovy kelp broth or chicken stock
4 oz Spam, sliced
6 oz, sliced Kielbasa
½ cup canned baked beans
½ cup kimchi, chopped
1 block firm tofu, sliced
1 packet ramen noodles
1 to 2 slices American cheese
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
1. Heat a wide pot or shallow pan over medium heat and add oil.
2. Add garlic and onion and cook until fragrant and slightly softened. Toss in your chopped kimchi and warm through.
3. In a small bowl, mix together gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and black pepper.
4. Layer sausage, tofu, and baked beans onto cooked onions garlic and kimchi. Add in seasoning sauce then pour in broth and bring to a simmer. Let cook for 5 to 7 minutes so everything heats through and the flavors come together.
5. Add ramen noodles to center and slightly submerged. Lay American cheese slices directly on top and let them melt into the stew.
6. Finish with scallions and serve immediately.
This stew can feed an army
