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Flavorful Korean Army Stew Budae Jjigae Recipe Easy with Spam and Noodles

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A hearty and spicy Korean Army Stew combining savory Spam, instant noodles, and vibrant vegetables in a flavorful broth, perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (1 liter) chicken or vegetable broth (preferably low sodium)
  • 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 can (12 oz / 340 g) Spam, sliced into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 hot dogs, sliced diagonally (optional)
  • 100 g firm tofu, cut into cubes (optional)
  • 1 cup kimchi, chopped
  • 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 small carrot, julienned
  • 1 cup mushrooms (shiitake or button), sliced
  • 1 cup cabbage, chopped
  • 1 cup cooked baked beans (optional)
  • 1 package instant ramen noodles (discard seasoning packet)
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 slice American cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Slice Spam and hot dogs into bite-sized pieces. Chop kimchi, cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, and onions. Mince garlic and chop green onions. Cube tofu if using. This prep should take about 15 minutes.
  2. In your pot, combine chicken broth, gochujang, soy sauce, sugar, and minced garlic. Whisk gently over medium heat until the gochujang dissolves completely, about 3-4 minutes. The broth should smell spicy and slightly sweet.
  3. Add kimchi, onions, carrots, mushrooms, cabbage, baked beans (if using), Spam, hot dogs, and tofu to the pot. Stir gently. Let it simmer for 10 minutes, uncovered, so the flavors meld and the vegetables soften.
  4. Break ramen noodles into thirds and add to the pot. Let them cook for 3-4 minutes until tender but still springy.
  5. Turn off the heat and sprinkle shredded mozzarella and American cheese slices on top. Cover the pot with a lid and allow the residual heat to melt the cheese for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Drizzle sesame oil over the stew and sprinkle chopped green onions. Give it a final gentle stir, being careful not to break the noodles too much.
  7. Ladle the hot stew into bowls, making sure each serving has a bit of everything—broth, noodles, meat, and veggies. Serve immediately.

Notes

If the broth is too spicy, add a splash of water or extra broth. For smoky flavor, lightly pan-fry the Spam before adding. Avoid overcooking noodles to keep them springy. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Reduce added salt due to salty Spam. Cheese topping mellows spice and adds creaminess.

Nutrition

Keywords: Korean Army Stew, Budae Jjigae, Spam stew, Korean stew, spicy stew, instant noodles, comfort food, easy Korean recipe

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/flavorful-korean-army-stew-budae-jjigae-recipe-easy-with-spam-and-noodles/