Korean Army Stew

Korean Army Stew (Budae Jjigae) is a flavorful Korean hot pot dish blending gochujang, tofu, Spam, and zucchini in a spicy broth. Perfect for a hearty and comforting meal, this easy recipe is ready in just 30 minutes!

Dec 22, 2024 - 11:54
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Korean Army Stew
Prep Time 10 min
Cook Time 20 min
Serving 3
Difficulty Easy

Korean Army Stew, or Budae Jjigae, is a comforting and flavorful Korean hot pot dish that perfectly blends traditional Korean spices with Western ingredients. Born out of post-war ingenuity, this stew combines a rich, spicy broth made with gochujang (Korean red chili paste) and doenjang (soybean paste) with a variety of ingredients like soft tofu, zucchini, Spam, and vibrant chili peppers. The dish is beloved for its hearty, savory taste and its ability to bring people together around the table, with the optional garnishes of green onion and Cheongyang peppers adding a fresh, spicy kick. Whether served as a communal feast or enjoyed solo, Korean Army Stew is a celebration of fusion cuisine and comfort food at its finest.

Ingredients

  • Half a block of soft tofu
  • Half a zucchini (approximately 300g)
  • 200g of Spam
  • 220ml of water
  • 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
  • 1/3 tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
  • 1 tbsp red chili powder
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • Green onion (finely chopped)
  • Cheongyang pepper (or substitute with your preferred spicy chili, finely chopped)

Nutritional Information

  • Calories: 390
  • Protein: 23g
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 1500mg
  • Cholesterol: 55mg

Directions

  1. Prepare the ingredients
    Finely chop the zucchini (300g), green onion, Cheongyang pepper, and Spam (200g).

  2. Wash and mash the Spam Rinse the Spam thoroughly with hot water to remove excess salt and mash it thoroughly with a fork.

  3. Assemble and cook Heat a pan over medium heat and add the mashed Spam.
    In a bowl, combine the sauce ingredients: 1 tbsp gochujang 1/3 tbsp doenjang 1 tbsp red chili powder 3 tbsp soy sauce .1 tsp minced garlic Mix well and pour the sauce over the

  4. Spam in the pan. Gently add half a block of soft tofu, dividing it into five parts. Add the chopped zucchini and pour in 220ml of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring lightly until the zucchini is cooked.

  5. Garnish and serve ,Once cooked, add the green onion and chopped Cheongyang pepper. Serve hot.