Budae jjigae

To make gochujang sauce, place all ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine.

Combine beef and 1 tbsp gochujang sauce in a small bowl and marinate for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, cook rice noodles according to packet instructions. Drain.

In a large casserole pan, arrange Spam, hot dogs, tofu, mushrooms, baked beans, kimchi and beef.

Place chicken stock in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a rapid simmer. Stir in fish sauce and remaining gochujang sauce. Gently pour hot stock mixture over ingredients in casserole pan (taking care to keep arrangement intact), cover and simmer gently over medium heat for 15 minutes or until beef is just cooked.

Add leek, onion and ramen noodles (without seasoning mixture from packet) and push gently to submerge in broth. Cook, uncovered, for 6 minutes or until noodles are cooked. Turn off heat, place cheese slices over the centre of the stew and stand for 5 minutes, or until melted. Scatter with spring onions, chillies and bean sprouts.

To serve, divide rice noodles between bowls and top with stew ingredients and liquid.

NOTES

Resting time 5 minutes
Kimchi is from Korean food shops.
Gochujang is a Korean red pepper paste and is available from Korean food shops.
Powdered fermented soybeans are from Korean or Asian food shops. Substitute with tamari, a sweeter alternative to soy sauce, from supermarkets and health food shops.