{"id":2905,"date":"2020-12-31T10:35:44","date_gmt":"2020-12-31T02:35:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tourhero.com\/en\/magazine\/?p=2905"},"modified":"2024-01-13T21:27:47","modified_gmt":"2024-01-14T02:27:47","slug":"the-ultimate-guide-to-uijeongbu-birthplace-of-budae-jjigae","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tourhero.com\/en\/magazine\/destinations\/asia\/the-ultimate-guide-to-uijeongbu-birthplace-of-budae-jjigae\/","title":{"rendered":"The ultimate guide to Uijeongbu: Birthplace of budae jjigae"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ever wondered about the origin of your favorite Korean stew, budae jjigae? From American spam to Korean fish cakes, the unlikely pairing of Western and Korean ingredients in budae jjigae has captured the world by storm. Trace the origins of this delicious dish and read on to explore Uijeongbu, the birthplace of budae jjigae. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uijeongbu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Uijeongbu is a city in Gyeonggi, 20 kilometers north of Seoul. With popular nature attractions like the impressive Suraksan and the sprawling Bukhasan National Park, Uijeongbu is frequented by many from the Seoul Metropolitan Area looking for a nature getaway. This unassuming city is also the birthplace of one of South Korea\u2019s most beloved comfort foods, budae jjigae. Read on to discover the sights and sounds of Uijeongbu with our ultimate guide to the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About budae jjigae<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Budae
Image by T.Tseng<\/a> via Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Budae jjigae, or \u201carmy base stew,\u201d hails as one of South Korea\u2019s most popular dishes. This hearty and thick soup combines Western meats of hot dogs, sausages, spam, and traditional Korean ingredients such as kimchi, red chili paste, and vegetables, to create the perfect combination of flavors. In addition to the mouthwatering mishmash of Western and Korean elements, the stew is topped off with instant ramen noodles and other foods like baked beans, American cheese, Korean fish cakes, and tofu, depending on preference. Often served in a large sharing pot, this fiery stew is an absolute delight to enjoy with friends and family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The history of budae jjigae<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The origins of budae jjigae trace back to after the Korean War in 1953. At the time, food in South Korea was scarce and many struggled to find ways to acquire food for their daily meals. One method the locals devised was to smuggle food, mostly leftover meat, out of U.S. Army bases located in Uijeongbu. These meats supplemented and added nutritional value to their traditional Korean meals. Eventually, this unlikely combination stuck, giving rise to the hearty budae jjigae we know and love today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting to and around Uijeongbu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n