As popular as ever since its creation around the time of the Korean War, Budae-jjigae, is an era defining dish that’s as delicious today as it filled the bellies of a struggling people many years ago. The dish itself was created out of the necessities of wartime and the hardships the people faced. Random foodstuffs found at American military bases were collected and boiled together in a hodgepodge-style stew for nourishment. Hence, why its name means, “army stew” in English. While the random ingredients might have been culled a bit today, the flavor combinations that make this dish delicious have had plenty of time to be sorted out through the years. Nongshim has created a tribute ramen with their own instant version of Budae-jjigae. All of the ingredients incorporated into these noodles were typically found in the original stew, such as: spam, ddeok (rice cakes), and sausages. So, if you’re in need of some sustenance, let’s make a cup of Nongshim’s Budae-jjigae.
Step 1.) Partially open the lid and remove the packet from inside
Step 2.) Add the powdered soup packet to the cup
Step 3.) Boil around 400ml (just over 1 1/2 cups) of water and fill the cup up to the fill line
Step 4.) Close the lid and wait patiently for 4 minutes
Step 5.) Mix and Enjoy!
This cup of noodles just couldn’t get any better. I feel like Nongshim captured the essence of authentic Budae-jjigae with the preparation process as well. Just add your packet and some boiling water and you’re all set. Well done, Nongshim!
Has your country created any unique dishes during wartimes? Do you like dishes that incorporate a wide variety of ingredients? Let me know in the comments!
If you’re interested in hearing more about instant ramen, check out my on-going series, Noodle Story: An Exploration of Korean Instant Noodles, here on Medium.
