Korean Army Stew For The Soul

tinned produce like Spam, sausages and processed cheese. When faced with these unfamiliar ingredients, Koreans — like any good Asian would do — added plenty of spice and their own unique twist, and budae jjigae was born. Think of it as liquid kimchi amped up with all sorts of tasty junk food.

slices of cheese and let it all melt into a velvety blanket. As delicious as it is Instagram-worthy.

Korean Army Stew

Serves 2 - 4

Main ingredients:

150g luncheon meat, in 5cm x 0.5cm slices

2 chicken or pork sausages, sliced diagonally

4 rashers bacon, cut into 1cm strips

3 pcs tofu, sliced 1cm thick

100g enoki mushrooms

5 shiitake mushrooms

½ cup chopped kimchi

4 stalks spring onions, thickly sliced

Sauce:

1 tbsp Korean chilli bean paste (gochujang)

1 tbsp Korean chilli flakes (gochugaru)

1.5 tbsp mirin

2 tsp light soy sauce

½ tbsp minced garlic

½ tbsp sugar

3 cups chicken stock

½ cup Korean rice cakes, sliced

1 packet instant noodles

2 cheese slices (try President burger cheddar)

Photos & video: Ealbert Ho
Video editing: Christopher Khong