Seoul's Authentic Budae Jjigae (Army Stew) Restaurant!

A spicy yet savory Budae Jjigae (Army Stew) filled with various hams and fresh vegetables!

If you're looking for a place that serves delicious food filled with warmth rather than flashiness, this is the spot for you!

"Mama Bujji"

Adress >> 40, Manyang-ro 14-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Business hours: Mon-Sun 10:30 AM - 10:00 PM

The interior features neat, brown tables equipped with gas burners in the center, ready to fire up your meal.

This place is located in Noryangjin, a unique area in Seoul. Tucked away in an alley, the restaurant is surrounded by a peaceful atmosphere. Noryangjin itself is quite an extraordinary part of the city. It's home to many academies, attracting a large number of students preparing for exams and job seekers working hard toward their future. Unlike Seoul's vibrant tourist attractions, this is a place where people come to focus on their personal battles and aspirations.

Perhaps because of the area's atmosphere, the interior of this restaurant is quite simple. A gas burner sits in the middle of each table, ready to simmer the stew, and an older auntie, who seems to embody the history of this long-standing establishment, serves the guests with a warm smile.

When I arrived around 7 PM, all 15 or so tables were fully occupied. Many were dining alone, which is a testament to the comforting, homestyle vibe this place offers.

A yellow menu board listing the prices for Budae Jjigae and additional options like various types of ham and noodles.

The menu here is quite simple! At the top of the menu is their signature dish, Budae Jjigae, priced at 8,500 KRW per person, roughly $6. If you're dining with a friend, you'll need to order at least two servings.

Below the main dish, you'll find options to add extra ingredients like various types of ham or noodles. The base stew already comes loaded with ham and fresh vegetables, so you can enjoy the dish as is and later add more ham, noodles, or other toppings at your own pace as you savor the flavorful broth.

One unique feature of this place is that they don't charge for rice, drinks, or side dishes.If you take a closer look at the bottom of the menu, you'll notice red text numbered 1 and 2. This indicates that you can enjoy unlimited refills of rice, drinks, and side dishes at no extra cost. All you need to pay for is the stew itself. In fact, for two people, the total cost doesn’t even reach $20! Pretty amazing, right?

A self-service station with a drink dispenser where you can choose your beverage and fill your cup, along with an area to pick and plate your side dishes.

In one corner of the restaurant, there's a designated "self-service station."

Here, you'll find plastic cups and plates, a drink dispenser with various flavors to choose from, and a section with three side dishes you can help yourself to as much as you'd like. There's also a rice cooker stocked with fresh steamed rice, ready for you to serve yourself anytime.

Oh, and for your first serving of rice, the friendly auntie will bring it to your table along with the stew. After that, if you want more rice, you can simply head over to the self-service station and scoop it yourself!

On the left is a creamy macaroni salad made with corn, finely chopped vegetables, and a touch of mayonnaise. In the middle, you have the classic Napa cabbage kimchi.

The side dishes here include three simple yet complementary options. On the left is a creamy macaroni salad made with corn, finely chopped vegetables, and a touch of mayonnaise. In the middle, you have the classic Napa cabbage kimchi. And in the top right corner, there’s a slightly spicy and tangy pickled radish in a vibrant yellow hue.

The rich, spicy broth of the Budae Jjigae, packed with savory ham, pairs wonderfully with the creamy and nutty flavors of the macaroni salad. The tangy pickled radish also works as a palate cleanser, refreshing your taste buds and allowing you to fully savor the flavors of the stew again. It’s a perfect balance!

When serving yourself at the self-service station, try not to take too much at once—just enough for what you can eat. Since you can always go back for more, it's a nice way to show consideration for the next person. :)

A large pot of Budae Jjigae, filled with various hams, vegetables, and ramen, bubbling away vigorously.

Wow! Can you feel the bubbling hot Budae Jjigae simmering away? I added ramen noodles to the center of the pot—because honestly, adding ramen to Budae Jjigae is a no-brainer! The spicy, savory broth soaks perfectly into the noodles, creating a flavor that’s on a whole other level compared to regular ramen. It’s absolutely delicious… 😍

Budae Jjigae, or Army Stew, is a popular Korean dish that combines kimchi, spam, sausage, ham, and ramen noodles in a spicy broth. It originated after the Korean War, using surplus ingredients from U.S. military bases. Today, it’s a comforting and flavorful fusion of Korean and Western flavors loved by many! While the origins of this dish might not be the most pleasant, its incredible taste has stood the test of time, making it a beloved comfort food for so many people even today.

This place is truly a gem when it comes to value for money. You can genuinely feel the motherly care behind the food, ensuring that students studying hard here never go hungry and are always well-fed.

Did you know that in Korea, almost every greeting revolves around food? Whether you're feeling tired, sad, happy, or even down, Koreans often ask questions like, “Have you eaten?” It's a cultural way of expressing care and concern.

There’s even an old saying, “Just watching you eat makes me full.” It reflects the immense joy and satisfaction that comes from seeing someone enjoy the food you’ve served.

This Budae Jjigae restaurant was a perfect example of that sentiment. Not only was the food absolutely delicious, but you could also feel the warmth and heartfelt care in every bite. It was hands down one of the best Budae Jjigae experiences I've ever had!

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