Where is the origin of one of Korea’s favorite foods, budaejjigae (A.K.A. ‘Army Stew’)?

We would like to introduce budaejjigae , a favorite food among Koreans. The name budaejjigae means "army stew" and is derived...

We would like to introduce budaejjigae , a favorite food among Koreans. The name budaejjigae means "army stew" and is derived from the history of this Korean-style stew, which was first made using meat, ham and sausages supplied to U.S. military personnel stationed in Uijeongbu City of Gyeonggi Province. This stew quickly gained popularity, and various styles of budaejjigae can now be found all around the country.

Which is the original army stew in Korea?

Budaejjigae (army stew) originated in Gyeonggi Province where two types of army stew have become popular. Even though the name is the same for both, the taste and ingredients are different. The Uijeongbu-style army stew , which represents northern Gyeonggi Province, is cooked with sausages, ripe kimchi and barley hot-pepper sauce, creating a refreshing taste. The Songtan-style army stew , on the other hand, uses lots of cabbage instead of ripe kimchi, and is topped with cheese slices to make it more appetizing. We will recommend some good restaurants for these two styles below.

■ Uijeongbu-style Army Stew

Introducing Uijeongbu 1-dong Budaejjigae (Army Stew) Street
Location : 22-1, Taepyeong-ro 137beon-gil, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

Budaejjigae Street, which emerged next to the former Yangju Government Office location in Uijeongbu 1-dong, has been a popular attraction in Uijeongbu since 1998 when budaejjigae restaurants began to enter one by one. It is a famous place that many people visit every year to taste the original budaejjigae.

1. The first and original Budaejjigae restaurant on the street: ‘Odeng Sikdang’
Every restaurant is crowded with customers along Uijeongbu City’s Budaejjigae Street, but the longest waiting lines are always in front of ‘Odeng Sikdang,’ a restaurant that has continued its tradition for three generations. It is the original restaurant and has been selling budaejjigae since 1960. If you want to taste the very original stew, waiting in line here is worth it.

Address: 7, Hoguk-ro 1309beon-gil, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (30M from the entrance of Budaejjigae Street)
Business hours: Everyday 08:30 – 21:30

2. Uijeongbu-style Gyeongwon Sikdang
Gyeongwon Sikdang features a stew with a refreshing taste that is made with mild kimchi and ham-based soup.

Address: 21, Dunya-ro 49beon-gil, Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi-do
Business hours: Everyday 09:30 – 21:30

■ Songtan-style Army Stew

1. Gimnejip
Gimnejip is a famous budaejjigae restaurant where people are happy to wait in line. It can also make your budaejjigae to go.

Address: 15, Jungang Market-ro 25beon-gil, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do
Business hours: Everyday 11:10 - 21:00 (15:30 - 18:00 Break time / 19:30 Last order)
Closed on the first and third Mondays of every month

2. Lee Nagyeong Songtan Budaejjigae
Lee Nagyeong Songtan Budaejjigae is a great place in Suwon City at which to taste Songtan-style budaejjigae without going all the way to Pyeongtaek City.

Address: 47, Hyowon-ro 307beon-gil, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Business hours: Everyday 11:00 – 22:00 (16:00 – 17:00 Break time)

We have introduced budaejjigae, which goes well with family meetings, friends, and kids. We especially recommend delicious budaejjigae in rainy or chilly weather. Visit Gyeonggi Province for delicious foods!