Are you looking for the best budae jjigae 부대찌개 restaurants in the Pyeongtaek area? Then, here are eleven spots where you can find this hearty, spicy army base stew.
Where is Pyeongtaek?
Feel free to skip this section if you live in Pyeongtaek or know about the area.
Pyeongtaek-si is located in the southern portion of the Gyeonggi-do province. This large city includes both US military installations, Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base.
The budae jjigae restaurant recommendations provided exist within the city of Pyeongtaek.
Therefore, In this blog post, South of Seoul provides addresses and phone numbers. However, we recommend using this information in either Naver Maps or Kakao Maps for the best results. As a result, such apps help you figure out how far each restaurant might be from you.
What is Budae Jjigae 부대찌개?
The name of this stew comes from the two Korean words: budae (부대), a term meaning base or army, and jjigae (찌개), a term meaning soup or stew. Therefore it is no surprise, that budae jjigae is often referred to as army base stew, soldier stew, or army stew.
Simply put, budae jjigae is a Korean fusion stew that uses many American processed products, like Spam, hot dogs, sliced American cheese, and canned pork and beans. After the Korean war (1950 to 1953), food was in short supply in Korea. So, the processed foods that were around the area were imported here by the military.
Since the Koreans had access to these foods, they used them to create this delicious stew. We believe two versions came about around the same time, Songtan style and Uijeongbu style. Uijeonbu is most famous for this stew and even has a street dedicated to this goodness!
Even though there are two versions, they are unique dishes themselves. Most often you will find the Songtan style around Pyeongtaek, however there are locations that serve Uijeongbu style.
Traditionally, this dish is cooked on the table at the restaurants on a gas stove. This enables you to be able to enjoy the dish family style. Also, you can choose to add ramen or cook stir-fried rice at the end.
Budae Jjigae Restaurants in Pyeongtaek
Budaejjigae
031-666-2768
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
One of the best Budae jjigae restaurants anywhere. We are soldier stew addicts and this is our absolute favorite anywhere in Korea. Culture Note: Buddaejjige is also known as: Army stew, soldier stew, and base stew. The reason is that it is a fusion dish that uses ingredients that care from US military.
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 쇼핑로 39-1
Choi Naezip Budae Jjigae Songtan
031-663-8922
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Instagram: choinaezip
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 경기대로 1401
Kimnaejip Budaejjigae
031-666-3648
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One of the most famous budaejjigae restaurants in South Korea. So much garlic and spice. Pure heaven. Culture Note: Buddaejjige is also known as: Army stew, soldier stew, and base stew. The reason is that it is a fusion dish that uses ingredients that care from US military.
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 중앙시장로25번길 15
Songtan songs Budaejjigae
031-611-6466
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One of Songtan’s newest buddaejjigae restaurants. Culture Note: Buddaejjige is also known as: Army stew, soldier stew, and base stew. The reason is that it is a fusion dish that uses ingredients that care from US military.
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 중앙시장로9번길 31
Songtan Budaejjigae
031-663-8922
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Light and spicy budaejjigae. This is a very good place to start if you want to learn about budaejjigae. Very nice, fresh, ingredients along with a nice assortment of processed meats. Culture Note: Buddaejjige is also known as: Army stew, soldier stew, and base stew. The reason is that it is a fusion dish that uses ingredients that care from US military.
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 경기대로 1401
National Budae Jjigae
0507-1306-7920
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 평택1로12번길 18 민족의부대찌개
Yukjang Budae Jjigae
031-618-4758
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 팽성읍 부용로31번길 39
Jaeus Spicy Sausage Stew
031-681-5385
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 안중읍 안현로서2길 19
Bull Budae Jjigae Hapjeong
031-692-4438
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 조개터로34번길 42
Unam Myeongga Budaejjigae
031-653-9233
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 평택5로 98
Abujji Budae Jjigae
0316626624
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Budae jjigae to go! This is a take-out only location
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 지산로 83 1층
* Please note that Abujji Budae Jjigae is a Take-Out only restaurant.
KimchiRednecks Budae Jjigae Videos
We both love budae jjigae. Since it is a meat-heavy stew, we do not eat it as often except for a few times a year. Currently, we have only videoed one location locally, which is our favorite. Still, since this list is extensive, we will definitely be checking out more of the options above for variety.
Also, we recently made both versions of budae jjigae at home. However, we determined that both had profiles we enjoyed.
As someone who had a very low spice level prior to living in Korea, the idea of this spicy stew was a bit overwhelming. However, I found eating it with rice and having a cup of water available to add to my broth reduced the spice to a tolerable level for me. Now, my spice level is much higher so I no longer have to dilute the broth when we eat out!
However, if you check out our YouTube channel, you can find other restaurant reviews, cooking videos, and much more. Also, we update content regularly and enjoy sharing our love of Korea and the culture.
How to Source Additional Information About These Locations
Whenever you have questions about things like business hours, you can use the free foreigner support app/phone number 1330. In addition, this is really helpful especially around holidays to make sure if a business will be open when you want to visit. With this app, you can prevent a wasted trip to a location when they are enjoying their regular day off or a holiday.
A Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series
Many of us live in South Korea for only a year. The time flies past faster than we can imagine. At South of Seoul, we decided to create a simple series that will offer 2-4 dishes to learn each month so that when you leave South Korea you have a slew of new dishes you feel comfortable making anywhere.
Be sure to follow the series so you can add some delicious Korean dishes to your weekly meal plans!
Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group
You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly Pyeongtaek international residents makes moving to Pyeongtaek easier. With so many different voices and opinions, it is always refreshing to see everyone’s adventures in our local community. In addition, all of the posts shared introduce our community to new places and old places that can feel new all over again.
While this list of budae jjigae restaurants in Pyeongtaek is not comprehensive of the entire area, we may have missed your favorite spot. Therefore, make sure to share with the community and share your favorite spots with us!
Volunteer with South of Seoul
Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content.
The KimchiRednecks channel was created in September 2018 by Chuck Whittington and Melissa Edwards-Whittington. They moved to Korea in July 2017 with their three Shih Tzu daughters, Sookie, Minion, and Mayhem.
The YouTube channel started as a way to share their lives here with their friends and families back in the states. They both have a deep love for Korean culture, people, and food and love being able to share that with others.
Chuck Whittington graduated from Francis Marion University with a Bachelors in Information Systems Management. He has worked in Information Technology roles for over 20 years. Chuck has always had an interest in Korea and has traveled here many times in the past.
Melissa Edwards-Whittington graduated from Mid-Atlantic Christian University with a Bachelors in Bible and a Minor in Elementary Education. She has worked in various roles in customer service and marketing over the years.
The YouTube channel has many interests just like they do because it is an extension of their lives here in Korea. You will often find videos on their channel about daily life in Korea, cooking, foodie adventures, traveling and exploring, computer and tech pursuits, gaming, and working on the Subaru BRZ.
Over the years, many of their friends have joined them for their videos and adventures because they enjoy sharing their lives with those around them. In addition, they add new interests from time to time, like making moonshine in Korea.
Life is about growing and changing, and the longer the KimchiRednecks live in Korea, the more they learn to love this country and culture and all it has to offer.
