먹방 (Mukbang) Monday: Budae Jjigae

부대찌개 (Budae Jjigae) is a popular Korean stew made with an interesting ingredient - hot dogs! The first time I saw it, I thought it looked so weird, as many fusion dishes look. But actually, I really love it! The stew is spicy, flavored with 고추장 (Gochujang = red chili paste), which somehow works with the hot dogs! Budae Jjigae is a very versatile dish, so you can customize it to include whatever ingredients you love or have on hand. After trying this 찌개 (Jjigae = stew) in a restaurant where the food was cooked at our table, I had to make it at home!

Here's how I laid the ingredients in my largest pan (thanks Mom!). I used onions, kimchi, hot dogs, glass noodles, spicy peppers, pork belly, and fish cakes.

Then I added some stock (we LOVE beef bone broth) and the gochujang. Brought to a boil, then simmered until all the ingredients were cooked.

I also put some chunky tofu, which I used to hate! But coming to Korea has opened my taste buds to enjoying new things.

When it was done, it was so spicy, steamy, and just cozy-feeling.

We ate it with "purple rice", which is just white rice with a little bit of black rice mixed in our beloved rice cooker!