military hotpot recipe

Budae Jjigae: A Hearty Korean Army Stew

Budae Jjigae, or "army stew," is a beloved Korean dish born from the post-Korean War era, when people combined scarce local ingredients with U.S. military surplus like spam, sausages, and baked beans. Today, it’s a comforting, communal meal perfect for cold days. Here’s a simple guide to making it.

Ingredients:

- Base: 2 cups gochujang (Korean chili paste), 3 cups dashi (or beef broth), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sugar.

- Proteins: 100g spam, 2 sausages, 100g sliced beef, 4-5 shrimp.

- Vegetables: Cabbage, kimchi, mushrooms, onions, tofu, and sliced carrots.

- Toppings: Instant noodles, mozzarella cheese, green onions, and a fried egg.

Steps:

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in a pot, slice spam and sausages, and fry until slightly crispy. Add onions and mushrooms, stirring until soft.

2. Make the Broth: Stir in gochujang, dashi, soy sauce, and sugar. Simmer for 5 minutes to deepen flavors.

3. Layer Ingredients: Add cabbage, kimchi, and carrots first, then tofu and beef. Pour broth over and bring to a gentle boil.

4. Simmer and Serve: Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add shrimp, instant noodles, and cheese. Cook until noodles are tender. Top with a fried egg and green onions.

Enjoy this spicy, savory stew with rice—it’s a flavorful taste of history and comfort!