Budae jjigae (부대찌개) meaning "army base stew" is a thick, spicy soup. After the Korea War, meat was scarce so people made use of the leftover food from US Army bases--hot dogs and Spam, mainly. This was incorporated into a traditional soup flavored with gochujang (고추장) or red chili paste, giving it a nice fiery taste.Budae jjigae is very popular in South Korea. Nowadays, ingredients like instant ramen noodles, sliced American cheese, ground beef, Pez, tofu, and kimchi are added.
Cooked on a table-top grill and ladled onto bowls of rice, it makes for a great winter meal among family and friends. A dinner ran 15,000 Korean won (around $11 bucks) for me and another dentist from my office. Lots to eat and very tasty!
Worried about that fiery soup flavor? I thought budae jjigae and Tim's Cascade Style Hot! Jalapeño Chips were an "even match" on the ol' Spice-O-Meter.
(kiddin' about the Pez!)
