Korean Army Stew Recipe (Budae Jjigae) - Easy 10-Minute Meal

Name: Korean Army Stew Recipe (Budae Jjigae) - Easy 10-Minute Meal
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 onion (small); 1 leek (white parts only); 4 cloves garlic; 30 grams leafy grams (small handful); 100 grams kimchi; .5 block tofu (firm or medium-firm); 1 smoked sausage or hot dog; 4 slices spam (cut to the thickness of your liking); 1 tablespoon gochujang (more if you like heat); 100 grams baked beans; 4 cloves garlic; 1 ramen packet with seasoning (or make your own stock); 2 slices processed cheese; 1 liter hot water

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Korean Army Stew (Budae Jjigae, 부대찌개) is a spicy Korean soup born after the Korean War, combining American staples like spam, hot dogs, and baked beans with traditional Korean ingredients like kimchi, gochujang, and noodles. It's a quick, flavorful one-pot meal ready in just 10 minutes.

Why Korean Army Stew Is My Go-To Easy Dinner

Ever since the first time I sat down to a bubbling cauldron of Korean Army Stew, (Budae Jjigae in Korean), I was hooked. Not too long after that, I realized how fun and easy it is and started making it at home. It is the best thing for those evenings when we are tempted to order takeout, but remember that we're gonna be out 60 bucks and not that satisfied at the end of the day. I can't imagine an easier way to satisfy my spicy noodle soup cravings.

It leans heavily on store bought (yes, highly processed) ingredients, but it also leaves a lot of room for customization. Heck, depending on how many veggies you add, it can even end up being pretty nourishing!

Deepening my Love of Army Stew in Seoul

I recently traveled to Seoul and Korean Army Stew was one of the absolute highlights. There's something special about eating it in its home country—the way it bubbles away at your table, the perfect balance of spicy, savory, and comforting flavors. That trip solidified my love for this dish, and now I make it at home constantly to recreate those cozy Seoul vibes. Next time, I'm bringing friends!

If you’re planning your own trip to Seoul, I highly recommend Seoul Foodventure for cooking classes and market tours, and Mike from Itseoulgood does amazing food tours and personalized experiences. You will eat and drink things you would never discover otherwise!

What Makes Korean Army Stew So Special?

It's Ridiculously Quick and Easy

Korean army stew takes less than 10 minutes to make, and the steps could not be simpler. It's just a matter of cutting everything up, putting it into shallow pot and cooking it until the noodles are cooked.

The Flavor Is Absolutely Packed

It uses a combination of spicy funky kimchi and gochujang, (a delicious Korean red pepper paste), as well as meaty stock in the form of homemade stock or stock powder or even just the ramen packet that comes in the ramen.

You get smoky flavors from smoked sausages or hotdog and spam or some kind of other smoky ham like product and fresh flavors from garlic and veggies. I like to use onions, leeks, green onions, some kind of leafy green like radish leaves or spinach or even broccoli and the silky satisfying creaminess of tofu.

How to Make Korean Army Stew

Ingredients needed for army stew on a wooden table.

Ingredients You'll Need

The beauty of this dish is in its simplicity. You'll need:

Veggies: Onions, leeks or green onions, and garlic is a good start, but you can amp up the veg with leafy greens, cabbage, broccoli, turnips, or just about anything you can think of.

A woman holds a bowl of onions, leeks, garlic, and turnip greens.

Kimchi: It’s basically Korean sauerkraut and it adds spice, crunch, and funkiness to the broth.

A woman holds a large container of kimchi.

Tofu: Firm or medium firm, so it holds together as it cooks. Tofu adds lovely texture and soaks up the intense flavors of the broth.
Smoked sausage or cut up hot dogs: Smoky pork products add so much flavor and protein to make this stew super satiating.
Spam or another ham product: Optional, but spam is a pretty common ingredient in Army Stew because it gained popularity following the Korean war, when this stew was invented.

A woman holds a plate of tofu, sausage, and spam.

Gochujang: For spice and umami

Baked beans: Beans add sweetness, fiber, protein, and satisfying creaminess.

A ramen packet with seasoning: If you prefer homemade broth, feel free to ditch the packet, but I like using it because it’s so easy. (It’s right there in the packet!)

A woman holds a packet of ramen and seasoning.

Processed cheese: A non-negotiable in my opinion. Processed (plastic cheese) dissolves into the broth making it super creamy and addictive.

A woman holds two pieces of processed cheese.

Optional extra ingredients:

Korean rice cakes for chewiness
Frozen corn for bursts of sweetness
Jammy eggs for richness

how do you make Korean army stew?

It’s the easiest thing you can imagine:

Step 1: Put everything in a pot. I like to use a wide skillet or a shallow cast enamel pot with a lid.

Step 2: Partially cover the ingredients with hot water and bring the whole thing to a boil.

Step 3: Cook, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are cooked and the onions and leeks are soft.

If you're having people over, it's fun to cook this in the middle of a table for that authentic Korean restaurant feeling. Everyone can give it a stir and serve themselves for a more interactive experience.

Serving Suggestions

On its own, this makes a big, satisfying dinner for two. To serve more people, add another item like gochujang chicken stir-fry, steamed rice, and a few Korean side dishes (banchan).

A pot of army stew along with rice and banchan at a restaurant in Seoul.

Ingredient Substitutions

One of the best things about Korean Army Stew is how flexible it is. You can easily swap ingredients based on what you have on hand or your dietary preferences. Here are some common substitutions:

Korean Army Stew Without Spam

If you don't have spam or prefer to skip it, try these alternatives:

Bacon: Adds smokiness and saltiness similar to spam
Ham: Any thick-cut deli ham works great
Canadian bacon: Less fatty but still flavorful
Extra sausage: Just double up on the smoked sausage or hot dogs

Korean Army Stew Without Hot Dogs or Sausage

Skip the processed meats entirely with these options:

Ground pork or beef: Brown it first, then add to the pot
Mushrooms: Shiitake or king oyster mushrooms add meatiness and umami
Extra tofu: Use a full block instead of half for a vegetarian version

No Kimchi? Try These

Sauerkraut: Provides a similar funky fermented flavor
Fresh cabbage: Won't have the fermented funk, but still tasty
Pickled vegetables: Any spicy pickled veggies can work in a pinch

Gochujang Alternatives

Sriracha + miso paste + sugar: Mix 2 tbsp sriracha, 1 tbsp miso, 1 tsp sugar
Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes): Use 2-3 tbsp with a splash of soy sauce
Regular chili paste: Add miso or soy sauce and a pinch of sugar

Processed Cheese Substitutes

American cheese slices: The best alternative—melts similarly
Velveeta: Melts nicely into the broth
Cream cheese: Adds creaminess but won't melt the same way
Skip it: The stew is still great without cheese, just less creamy

Ramen Noodle Alternatives

Udon noodles: Thicker and chewier, adjust cooking time
Rice noodles: Gluten-free option, cook separately and add at the end
Glass noodles: Lightweight and slurp-worthy
No noodles: Serve with plenty of steamed rice instead

Homemade Stock Instead of Ramen Seasoning

If you want to skip the instant ramen packet and use fresh noodles with homemade broth, I recommend boosting the addictive flavor with a sprinkle of msg!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Korean Army Stew Healthy?

This is a fairly salty dish with a lot of processed food in it. That said, you can customize it to make it suit for your dietary preferences. Add less sausage, more veggies and tofu, use homemade stock, and suddenly you have something kind of nutritious!

Can I Make This Vegetarian or Vegan?

Yes! Skip the meat products and double up on tofu, mushrooms, and veggies. Use veggie stock or a vegetarian ramen packet, and swap the processed cheese for a vegan alternative like Daiya (which melts pretty darn well).

What If I Can't Find Gochujang?

Gochujang is pretty easy to find in most grocery stores these days, and you can definitely get it online. But if you can't find it, you can substitute with a mix of chili paste for heat, miso paste for salt/umami, and a sprinkle of sugar or honey for sweetness.
*NOTE: If you want to get nerdy about gochujang, America's Test Kitchen did a really in-depth review. Check it out here!

Can I Prep This Ahead of Time?

You can chop all your ingredients ahead of time and store them in the fridge, but I recommend cooking it fresh since it only takes 10 minutes. The noodles will get soggy if you make it too far in advance.

What's the Best Way to Store Leftovers?

Army Stew isn’t ideal for leftovers, because the noodles just keep on absorbing the broth overnight. However, it is possible to store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. You may want to add a splash of water or stock when heating it back up.

Can I Use Different Types of Noodles?

Yep! Instant ramen is traditional and convenient, but you can use udon, rice noodles, or even glass noodles. Just adjust the cooking time based on your noodle choice and add your own stock or seasoning if not using the ramen packet. You can also skip the noodles altogether and serve this with rice instead!

What Does Korean Army Stew Taste Like?

Korean Army Stew has a complex, savory flavor profile that's spicy, slightly sweet, and incredibly umami-rich. The kimchi and gochujang provide a spicy, tangy kick, while the smoked sausages and spam add smoky, salty depth. The processed cheese melts into the broth, creating a creamy, indulgent base that balances the heat. The baked beans add subtle sweetness, and all the flavors meld together into a comforting, addictive stew that's both familiar (thanks to the hot dogs and cheese) and distinctly Korean.

Why Is It Called Army Stew?

Korean Army Stew, or budae jjigae (부대찌개), literally translates to "army base stew." It was invented in the 1950s following the Korean War, when food was scarce in South Korea. People living near U.S. military bases would use surplus ingredients from the army bases—like spam, hot dogs, and baked beans—and combine them with traditional Korean ingredients like kimchi and gochujang to create a hearty, filling meal. What started as a necessity became a beloved comfort food that's now popular throughout Korea and beyond.

Where Can I Buy Korean Army Stew Ingredients?

Most Korean Army Stew ingredients are easy to find these days. Kimchi, gochujang, and Korean rice cakes are available at Asian grocery stores, and increasingly at regular supermarkets in the international aisle. You can also order them online from H-Mart, Iherb, or Amazon. The other ingredients—ramen, hot dogs, spam, sausage, tofu, and processed cheese—are standard grocery store items.

I hope you love this stew as much as I do! Let me know if you get hooked!