Budae Jjigae: The Best of Korean and American Comfort Foods

Introduction

If you’re looking for a spicy dish that’s as comforting as it is adventurous, you should try budae jjigae. This Korean stew usually contains pork, sausage, ramen noodles and kimchi—but that’s just the beginning. Budae jjigae can also include canned Spam, hot dogs and American cheese. Although the name might sound like gibberish to non-Korean speakers (“budae” literally means “army”), this savory soup was originally created by resourceful Korean soldiers who used whatever they could get their hands on during the Korean War (1950–1953).

What is Budae jjigae?

Budae jjigae is a spicy stew that combines Korean and American foods. It’s a popular street food in South Korea, where it’s often sold by street vendors during the winter months.

Budae jjigae is made with hot dogs, ramen noodles or udon noodles (both are Japanese noodles), kimchi (a spicy fermented cabbage dish), sliced pork belly or ham and other ingredients such as tofu or eggs. The name “budae” comes from “buddae,” meaning “army,” referring to the way soldiers were issued canned rations during the Korean War–which explains why this dish is sometimes known as Army Stew!

Where did this dish come from?

Budae jjigae is a dish that comes from the Korean War, in which American soldiers and Korean citizens combined their rations.

The two cultures came together to create this amazing dish and have been enjoying it ever since!

What ingredients are in budae jjigae?

Budae jjigae is a stew made with hot dogs, spam, ramen noodles and other ingredients. The dish originated during the Korean War when there was a shortage of food in South Korea. It was created by combining Korean and American ingredients such as Spam or hot dogs with kimchi (fermented cabbage), tofu and ramen noodles.

Budae jjigae has since become one of the most popular dishes in both North Korea and South Korea.

How is budae jjigae made?

Budae jjigae is a tasty combination of Korean and American comfort foods. It’s made by mixing together hot dogs, spam, kimchi, onions and other vegetables in a large pot. The ingredients are stirred together and simmered until they’re cooked completely. Then it can be served over rice or eaten straight out of the pot with some crusty bread on the side to soak up all that delicious sauce!

Budae jjigae can also be made with different types of meat like chicken or beef instead of pork; seafood such as shrimp or octopus; and lots of different kinds of vegetables like mushrooms or carrots! You could even add tofu if you want something extra filling–it’ll help fill up your belly without weighing down your stomach too much later on (which sometimes happens after eating heavy meals). And don’t forget about kimchi: this spicy fermented cabbage dish adds flavor both sweetly sour notes to complement all those savory ones coming from every ingredient involved!

What are the health benefits of eating budae jjigae?

Budae jjigae is a good source of protein, iron and vitamin C.

Protein: Budae jjigae is made up of pork belly and spam–both of which are high in protein. Iron: The meat used in this dish contains heme iron (the type your body can easily absorb), which helps prevent anemia and keep you energized throughout the day. Vitamin C: Spam has quite a bit more vitamin C than other meats–a single serving has as much as an orange!

The ingredients in this spicy stew can help you get more nutrients from meat.

• Meat: It’s no secret that meat is a rich source of protein. But did you know that it also contains iron and zinc? These minerals are crucial for helping your body function properly, and they can be difficult to get from the foods we eat today.
• Vegetables: Vegetables have many health benefits as well. They’re high in fiber and vitamins A, C and K–all important nutrients for maintaining good health. Plus, they’re low-calorie!
• Tofu: Made from soybeans (which are actually legumes), tofu is another nutrient-rich food commonly used in Korean cuisine. It’s a great source of calcium as well as B vitamins such as thiamine and riboflavin.*Eggs: Eggs are one of nature’s most complete foods–they contain all nine essential amino acids needed by our bodies to build muscle tissue.*Mushrooms: Mushrooms provide us with selenium which helps promote healthy thyroid function.*Rice (or any grain): Grains such as brown rice are rich sources of B vitamins too including thiamine which helps convert food into energy

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a way to spice up your Korean food, budae jjigae is the perfect dish. It’s full of flavor and easy to make at home!