How often you guys eat budae jjigae? I ask cuz it seems a bit unhealthy the processed meats?
It's one of my favorite foods....

not that often

maybe 1-2 times a year

I made it for the first time today, although it was not how it was at the restaurant, my version came out way too spicy, and not savory enough
anyone have any tips?

This is the recipe i was using:


For the Sauce (Sauce amount will serves 8 to 12)
6 Tbs gochugaru
3 Tbs soy sauce
2 Tbs fish sauce
2 Tbs rice wine or soju
2 Tbs sugar
1 tsp Doenjang, Korean fermented soybean paste (can be substitute to miso)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup water
chopped garlic (approximately 6 cloves garlic)

For the Stew
1 cup kimchi
2 oz rice cake slices, soaked in warm water for 20 minutes if it’s frozen
6 oz spam (half can), sliced into 1/4-inch thin
6 oz hotdogs (2 links), sliced into 1/4-inch thin
5 oz breakfast sausage or any ground meat
3 to 5 green onions, sliced
2 Tbs baked beans
1 or 2 slice American cheese
5 cups Korean ultimate stock (CLICK HERE for the Recipe) or chicken stock
instant ramen noodles 2 pack

This post was edited by ferf on Sep 30 2021 04:35pm

lol use naver.com 부대찌개

You need to add the ramyun soup powder, or 미원 (msg) or 다시다 (korean beef stock powder). Have to be quite generous with it. That's how the restaurants sell them and why it tastes good.

Thanks! How much MSG would you put in 1 hotpot of budae jjigea?
Also, do all those things you recommended do the same thing/taste the same? if so , which of these are the healthiest option... I was told MSG is awful for your health.

This post was edited by ferf on Oct 1 2021 07:37pm

If MSG & health is a concern, one wouldn't be eating budae jjigae. That thing is a salt bomb.
MSG is not bad for health - just a myth. Some say it is actually better to put it in, as it improves savoriness of the dish, allowing one to put less salt.
A "pinch" is fine but if you want restaurant quality savoriness it'd be at least half to one teaspoon

Edit: sorry initially wrote tablespoon - woulda killed the dish

This post was edited by ahspark87 on Oct 2 2021 02:27am

Thanks!!

only koreans will tell you MSG is bad for your health

never scientifically "proven" or even suggested it's bad for you

Had my second attempt at budae jjigae today, and it turned out very well. Just as good as the restaurant, or nearly, and i didn't use MSG either