Budae Jjigae
aka
Korean Army Stew
Budae Jjigae, or Korean Army Stew, is probably one of the most delicious things you'll find on this earth! It is a Korean fusion stew that incorporates American style processed food such as spam, sausages, canned baked beans and sliced cheese. In most restaurants instant ramen noodles, kimchi, sliced chewy rice cake and minced pork are thrown in as well. However if you are making it at home you can put in anything you like! The dish was created shortly after the armistice that ended the Korean War, using the scrounged or smuggled surplus foods from U.S. military bases. Although the dish was born in the period of post-war impoverishment, it continued to be popular during the period of South Korea's rapid growth and is extremely popular today. There are many restaurants specializing in budae jjigae; the most famous ones on the budae jjigae street in Uijeongbu (South Korea), where the dish was allegedly first made. The dish is now a popular anju (accompaniment to alcoholic drinks) and a premium comfort food for people around the world.