Welcome to a delightful journey into the world of vegan Korean cuisine! Today, we're diving into the rich flavors of Budae Jjigae, a beloved Korean stew with a plant-based twist. In this vegan adaptation, we're bringing together traditional Korean ingredients in a meatless rendition of the famous Army Base Stew. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and explore the fusion of flavors in this Vegan Korean Budae Jjigae recipe.

Vegan Korean Budae Jjigae stew with tofu, veggies, and spicy broth

What is Budae Jjigae?

Budae Jjigae, also known as "Army Base Stew" or "Korean Army Stew," is a popular Korean stew that originated during the aftermath of the Korean War in the 1950s. This unique dish has a fascinating history rooted in the scarcity of food after the war, which led to the creation of a dish combining various surplus ingredients from U.S. military bases with Korean flavors.

Budae Jjigae is often prepared in a large pot or pan placed at the center of the dining table, allowing everyone to cook and enjoy the stew together. Over time, this dish has evolved, and various versions or adaptations have emerged, including vegetarian or vegan renditions that replace meat with plant-based alternatives while maintaining the dish's signature flavors.

The stew is cooked in a spicy and flavorful broth made with gochujang (Korean red chili paste), gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes), soy sauce, and other seasonings. The combination of these ingredients results in a hearty, spicy, and savory stew that's perfect for communal dining.

The dish typically includes an assortment of ingredients such as:

Sausages or hot dogs
Spam or other processed meats
American Cheese
Baked beans
Kimchi
Tofu
Vegetables like onions, scallions, and mushrooms
Instant noodles

In this vegan adaptation, we're bringing together traditional Korean ingredients in a meatless rendition of the famous Army Base Stew. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and explore the fusion of flavors in this Vegan Korean Budae Jjigae recipe.

This recipe substitutes traditional ingredients like meat and processed foods with plant-based alternatives, keeping the essence and flavors of the original dish.

Other Korean Recipes 🍛🇰🇷

Plant-based Vegan Budae Jjigae with tofu and vegetables in rich, spicy broth

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms
1 cup sliced vegan hot dogs or vegan sausage
1 cup vegan kimchi, chopped
4 cups vegetable broth or water (Trader Joe’s Miso Ginger Broth)
2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
1 cup firm tofu, cubed
1 cup canned baked beans or chickpeas (optional) I used Heyday Sesame Kimchi
Asparagus
2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
2 pack udon (check for vegan options)
Salt and pepper to taste
3 Slices Vegan cheese

Instructions:

Heat sesame oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onion and garlic, sauté until fragrant and onions become translucent.
Add sliced carrots, shiitake mushrooms, vegan hot dogs, and vegan kimchi. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
Pour in vegetable broth (or water) and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Add gochujang, gochugaru, and soy sauce (or tamari). Stir well to combine all the flavors.
Add firm tofu cubes and canned baked beans or chickpeas if using. Stir gently to incorporate.
Toss in the sliced cabbage or Napa cabbage. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded.
Meanwhile, cook the instant ramen noodles separately according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
To serve, place a portion of cooked ramen noodles into individual serving bowls. Ladle the hot stew over the noodles.
Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Note: Budae Jjigae is a flexible dish, so feel free to add or substitute ingredients based on your preferences or availability. Some variations include adding vegan cheese, sliced potatoes, or different vegetables.

Sautéing onions and garlic in sesame oil until translucent

Pouring in vegetable broth and bringing mixture to a simmer

Stirring in gochujang, gochugaru, and soy sauce

Serving Budae Jjigae over cooked ramen, garnished with green onions

The Vegan Korean Budae Jjigae recipe offers a glimpse into the diverse and inclusive world of Korean cuisine. With its tantalizing flavors, this dish pays homage to tradition while embracing the principles of plant-based living. Join us in celebrating this fusion of taste and culture, making your mealtime both delicious and compassionate.

This stew holds cultural significance in Korea, symbolizing adaptability, innovation, and the blending of culinary influences during a challenging period in the country's history. Today, it remains a popular and beloved comfort food among Koreans and is also appreciated by many worldwide for its unique taste and history.

Substitutions

Meat Substitutes: Instead of traditional meat products like sausages, Spam, or hot dogs, you can use plant-based alternatives. Consider using vegan sausages, tempeh, tofu, seitan, or textured vegetable protein (TVP) as meat substitutes.

Vegetarian/Vegan Options: To make a vegetarian or vegan Budae Jjigae, skip the meat entirely or use meat alternatives mentioned above. Focus on adding more vegetables, tofu, or beans for protein. You can add more mushrooms, cabbage, bell peppers, or zucchini to enhance the dish's flavors and textures.

Broth: For the broth, instead of a meat-based broth, use vegetable broth or water flavored with Korean seasonings like gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, and other spices. This helps maintain the dish's authentic Korean taste.

Noodles: If you prefer gluten-free options or want to avoid regular instant noodles, opt for rice noodles, sweet potato noodles (glass noodles), or other gluten-free alternatives available in Asian markets.

Kimchi: For vegan or vegetarian versions, ensure you use kimchi that doesn't contain any fish or seafood-based ingredients. Some brands produce vegan kimchi that's free from fish sauce or shrimp paste.

Additional Ingredients: Feel free to add or swap other ingredients based on personal preferences or dietary needs. Consider adding more vegetables like spinach, kale, or bok choy, or experimenting with different spices and seasonings to tailor the stew to your taste.

Variations

Bean-Based Protein: Besides tofu, incorporate various beans for added protein. Use kidney beans, black beans, or chickpeas to provide texture and substance to the stew.
Mushroom Medley: Mushrooms are a fantastic meat substitute. Combine different mushroom varieties like oyster mushrooms, portobello mushrooms, or king oyster mushrooms to mimic a meaty texture and enhance the umami flavor.
Vegan Sausages and Hot Dogs: Opt for plant-based sausages or hot dogs available in the market. You can find a variety of vegan alternatives made from soy, seitan, or vegetables that closely resemble the original meat products.
Vegan Kimchi: Ensure your kimchi is vegan-friendly by checking the ingredients. Some traditional kimchi recipes may contain fish sauce or shrimp paste, so look for kimchi labeled specifically as vegan or make your own vegan kimchi.
Seitan or Tempeh: Utilize seitan or tempeh as additional meat alternatives in the stew. They soak up flavors well and provide a chewy texture similar to meat.
Coconut Milk Creaminess: For a creamier stew without dairy, add a small amount of coconut milk towards the end of cooking. It adds richness and a hint of sweetness to balance the spiciness.
Vegan Cheese or Nutritional Yeast: Use vegan cheese alternatives or sprinkle nutritional yeast into the stew for a cheesy flavor. This adds a savory element to the dish.
Custom Vegetable Additions: Increase the vegetable content by adding more veggies like bell peppers, spinach, kale, or even sweet potatoes for a nutrient-packed stew.
Gluten-Free Noodle Alternatives: If you're gluten-sensitive or following a gluten-free diet, consider using rice noodles, buckwheat noodles, or mung bean noodles as alternatives to regular wheat-based instant noodles.
Asian-Inspired Seasonings: Incorporate other Asian seasonings like miso paste or Thai curry paste for an interesting twist, maintaining the stew's umami and depth of flavor.

Experimenting with different plant-based ingredients allows for a diverse range of vegan Budae Jjigae variations. By utilizing various substitutes and combining flavorful vegan elements, you can create a delicious, cruelty-free version of this Korean stew while keeping it true to its origins.

Vegan Korean Budae Jjigae Recipe (Army Base Stew)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Main Course, Soup

Cuisine Asian, korean

Servings 4

Ingredients

1 onion thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms
1 cup sliced vegan hot dogs or vegan sausage
1 cup vegan kimchi chopped
4 cups vegetable broth or water Trader Joe’s Miso Ginger Broth
2 tablespoons gochujang Korean red pepper paste
2 tablespoons gochugaru Korean red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
1 cup firm tofu cubed
1 cup canned baked beans or chickpeas optional I used Heyday Sesame Kimchi
Asparagus
2 green onions chopped (for garnish)
2 pack udon check for vegan options
Salt and pepper to taste
3 Slices Vegan cheese

Instructions

Heat sesame oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onion and garlic, sauté until fragrant and onions become translucent.
Add sliced carrots, shiitake mushrooms, vegan hot dogs, and vegan kimchi. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
Pour in vegetable broth (or water) and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Add gochujang, gochugaru, and soy sauce (or tamari). Stir well to combine all the flavors.
Add firm tofu cubes and canned baked beans or chickpeas if using. Stir gently to incorporate.
Toss in the sliced cabbage or Napa cabbage. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded.
Meanwhile, cook the instant ramen noodles separately according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
To serve, place a portion of cooked ramen noodles into individual serving bowls. Ladle the hot stew over the noodles.
Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

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