된장찌개 Doenjangjjigae
A stew of fermented soybean paste, tofu and vegetables, served bubbling hot with rice.
Spice: Mild
Jjigae (stew)
부대찌개 Budaejjigae
A spicy stew of ham, sausage, kimchi and instant noodles, cooked at the table and shared.
- Sausage Stew
- Spice: Medium
- Contains pork
- Contains beef
- Contains seafood
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Ham, sausage, kimchi, tofu, instant noodles |
| How it's served | Served in a wide pot that boils on a tabletop burner, with rice and side dishes |
| Spice level | Medium — Clearly spicy. You'll want water nearby. |
| Diet | Contains pork · Contains beef · Contains seafood — Pork is a standard ingredient. Beef or beef stock is a standard ingredient. Fish, shellfish, fish sauce, salted seafood (jeotgal) or anchovy stock is a standard ingredient. |
| Allergens | Wheat · Soy · Fish · Crustacean shellfish |
| Ask about | Sliced cheese and baked beans are often added; the ham and sausage vary by restaurant. |
| On the menu | 부대찌개 (Budaejjigae) |
| Also called | budae jjigae · budaejigae · army stew · army base stew |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Sausage Stew
Let it come to a boil
The pot cooks on a burner at your table. Wait until the broth bubbles before you start eating.
Push in the noodles
Once it boils, push the instant noodles into the broth. Eat them first, before they turn soft.
Ladle into your own bowl
Use the ladle to move stew into your small bowl, then eat it with rice.
How to order it
Order it as 부대찌개. It is usually shared from one pot by the whole table, and only some restaurants sell a single serving.
- On the menu: 부대찌개
- Usually sold: Usually 2 servings minimum
Where it comes from
Budae means a military base. The stew began with ham and sausage from US Army supplies, cooked with kimchi. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture says it started in Uijeongbu, near a US Army base, in the 1960s.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (encykorea.aks.ac.kr)
Similar dishes
김치찌개 Kimchijjigae
A bubbling stew of aged kimchi, pork and tofu, eaten with rice.
Spice: Medium
순두부찌개 Sundubujjigae
A spicy stew of soft, unpressed tofu and seafood, served boiling in an earthenware pot with rice.
Spice: Medium
Questions about Sausage Stew
Is budaejjigae vegetarian?
No. The ham and sausage are usually pork, the broth or toppings often include beef, and the kimchi has salted seafood.
How spicy is budaejjigae?
Medium. Chili paste and kimchi make the broth clearly spicy, so keep rice and water nearby.
Can you eat budaejjigae alone?
Not always. Many restaurants serve it only as a shared pot, but some sell a single serving.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 10, 2026