Easy Slow-Cooker Budae Jjigae for Comforting Dinners Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For a deeper flavor profile, consider adding a splash of soy sauce or a small amount of minced garlic during the layering phase. If you enjoy a bit of extra texture, adding sliced leeks or green onions at the same time as the ramen noodles can provide a nice crunch and freshness that contrasts beautifully with the soft noodles and melted cheese.

If you find the stew is becoming too thick during the cooking process, you can thin it out with a little extra beef broth or water. Just be careful not to dilute the flavor too much.

Always taste the broth before adding any additional seasoning, as the kimchi and gochujang already contribute a significant amount of salt and complexity to the dish.

Variations

• Vegetarian Version: Replace the Spam and sausages with extra firm tofu, sliced mushrooms, and plant-based protein strips. Use a high-quality vegetable broth instead of beef bone broth for a delicious meat-free alternative.
• Extra Spicy Stew: Increase the amount of gochugaru flakes to 2 tablespoons and add a finely sliced fresh red chili pepper during the layering phase for an extra kick of heat.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Freezer

Freezing is not recommended for this dish as the tofu and ramen texture will degrade significantly.

Reheat

Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until steaming hot, or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally.

If you have leftovers, allow the stew to cool for no more than two hours at room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container.

Keep the noodles separate from the broth if possible, as they will continue to absorb liquid and soften over time, which can affect their texture upon reheating. Store the container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.

You can prepare the stew base by layering all the ingredients except for the ramen and cheese up to 24 hours in advance. Store the covered insert in the refrigerator. When you are ready to cook, simply place the insert into the slow cooker base and proceed with the cooking instructions. This makes it an excellent option for easy weeknight dinners.

Serving ideas

Serve this Budae Jjigae piping hot directly from the slow cooker or transfer it to a large, wide serving bowl. Use metal chopsticks and a deep spoon to ensure guests can easily grab the ramen noodles and enjoy the rich, spicy broth.

It is traditionally served with a bowl of steamed white rice on the side to balance the bold, savory flavors of the stew.

For an authentic experience, set out small side dishes like pickled radish, bean sprouts, or extra kimchi. The contrast between the hot, spicy stew and the cool, crisp side dishes is what makes this meal so enjoyable.

Remind guests to enjoy the melted cheese while it is still warm and creamy, as it really ties all the components together into a cohesive, comforting bite.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Easy Slow-Cooker Budae Jjigae for Comforting Dinners

Prep 15 minCook 2 hTotal 2 h 15 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 1 can Spam, sliced
• 4 links Vienna sausages, sliced
• 1 cup fermented kimchi
• 1 block firm tofu, sliced
• 1 cup enoki mushrooms
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp gochujang paste
• 1 tbsp gochugaru flakes
• 4 cups beef bone broth
• 2 packs dry ramen noodles
• 2 slices American cheese
• scallions, for serving

Instructions

1. Arrange the sliced Spam, Vienna sausages, kimchi, tofu, enoki mushrooms, and onions in the slow cooker insert. Add the gochujang paste and gochugaru flakes on top, then pour in the beef bone broth to cover the ingredients.
2. Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for two hours. This allows the flavors of the kimchi, gochujang, and meats to meld into a rich, spicy broth. Ensure the ground meat components, such as the sausages, reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C).
3. Carefully nest the dry ramen noodles into the hot broth. Place the slices of American cheese on top of the noodles. Cover and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes until the noodles are tender and the cheese has melted into the broth. Garnish with fresh scallions before serving.

Contains: gluten, soy, milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

450

Protein

18.5 g

Carbohydrates

52 g

Fat

18 g

Fiber

3.5 g

Sugar

6 g

Sodium

1200 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.