Budae Jjigae
Hearty army stew with sausage, kimchi, tofu, and ramen noodles in a spicy broth.
Ingredients
- 200 g Kimchi
- 150 g Lap cheong sausage
- 150 g Fresh ramen noodles
- 200 g Firm tofu
- 2 tbsp Gochujang
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1200 ml Chicken stock
- 1 tbsp Gochugaru (optional)
- 3 Scallions (optional)
Method
- Slice the sausage, tofu, and kimchi and mince the garlic.
- Arrange everything in a pot with the gochujang and gochugaru and pour over the stock.
- Bring to a boil and simmer until everything is hot and the broth is flavoured, about 13 minutes.
- Add the noodles for the last few minutes until tender, about 4 minutes.
- Scatter scallions and serve bubbling.
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About Budae Jjigae
Budae jjigae, sometimes called army base stew, is a Korean hot-pot soup born of scarcity in the years after the Korean War, when cooks stretched surplus rations from U.S. military bases with kimchi and gochujang. That improvised origin is baked into its character: processed proteins like sausage sit unapologetically alongside tofu, fermented cabbage, and a deep red chili broth, a collision of American convenience food and Korean pantry that somehow became a beloved dish in its own right.
What defines this version is how much flavor comes from so little effort. The broth is built from stock loosened with gochujang and gochugaru, so it lands rich, tangy, and spicy all at once, with the kimchi lending sourness and the sausage releasing its fat as everything simmers together. Ramen noodles go in near the end so they stay springy rather than bloated, and the pot is meant to arrive bubbling at the table where everyone digs in communally. It comes together in about half an hour, which makes it a natural choice for a cold night or a hungry crowd.
Budae Jjigae: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Budae Jjigae?
A serving has about 360 calories — 20.9g protein, 30.7g carbs, 17.4g fat, 3.8g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Budae Jjigae gluten-free?
As written, no — it contains Fresh ramen noodles, Gochujang. You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for those ingredients to make it gluten-free.
Do I need every ingredient to make Budae Jjigae?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out gochugaru, scallions — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Budae Jjigae make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.