Budae Jjigae Hotpot: A Delicious Guide to This Korean Comfort Food
Dive into Budae Jjigae: the ultimate spicy, savory Korean comfort. Aged kimchi, Spam, and ramen noodles simmered in rich stock after quick prep. Simple heat and serve instructions included.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Aged Kimchi (1 cup, sliced)
- Processed Luncheon Meat (e.g., Spam) (1/2 can, sliced)
- Frankfurters or Hot Dogs (4 links, sliced diagonally)
- Instant Ramen noodles (1 package, seasoning packet discarded)
- Chicken or Anchovy stock (4 cups)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) (2 tablespoons)
- Firm Tofu (1/2 block, sliced)
- American cheese slices (2 slices)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare all ingredients
- Step 2: Heat oil in a pan
- Step 3: Cook the main ingredients
- Step 4: Season to taste
- Step 5: Serve hot
Notes
- Store leftover broth and solids in an airtight container for up to 3 days; note that the ramen noodles will become very soft and should ideally be added fresh during reheating.
- To reheat, simmer the stew gently on the stovetop and add a splash of extra chicken stock or water to prevent the base from thickening too much due to the melted cheese and concentrated kimchi.
- Serve piping hot immediately after the cheese melts, traditionally alongside steamed white rice to help balance the spicy, salty broth, and a side of pickled radish (danmuji) for refreshing crunch.
- For the most authentic flavor depth, ensure you use well-fermented, sour aged kimchi, as its tartness is essential for cutting through the richness of the processed meats.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large bowl of stew (approximately 2.5 cups)
- Calories: 692
- Sodium: 2100mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Protein: 10g