A Rainy-Night Korean Dinner for Two: Hannam’s $19.99 Budae-Jjigae Kit

Bubbling Korean Army Stew Budae Jjigae served at the dinner table with a bottle of soju

Some meals are made for busy weekdays. This one feels made for a rainy weekend evening.

When it’s chilly outside and you crave something hot, savoury, and comforting to share, budae-jjigae (Korean army stew) is hard to beat. Place one bubbling pot in the middle of the table, pour a glass of soju, and dinner instantly feels like a cozy night out without leaving the house.

That was exactly the plan when I picked up the $19.99 CAD ready-to-cook budae-jjigae kit from the deli section at Hannam Supermarket in Burnaby.

Why Choose the Hannam Kit?

Before grabbing this one, I checked the prepared-food counter at H Mart, where a comparable kit sits in the mid-$20s. Hannaro also carries a larger version for a few dollars more—worth considering if you are feeding a family or a group of four.

For an easy dinner for two, though, Hannam’s $19.99 CAD option hits the sweet spot: generous portions, simple prep, and very reasonably priced.

A Quick Look: What Is Budae-Jjigae?

The Korean word budae (부대) translates to "military unit" or "army base."

The dish traces its roots to the difficult years following the Korean War, a time of widespread food scarcity. Resourceful locals combined surplus processed foods from U.S. military bases—such as spam, hot dogs, and canned baked beans—with traditional Korean staples like kimchi, garlic, and spicy red pepper paste.

What began out of necessity has evolved into one of South Korea’s most beloved comfort foods: communal, deeply satisfying, and best enjoyed bubbling hot right at the table.

Ingredients included in Hannam Budae Jjigae kit including sausage, ham, ramen noodles, and seasoning sauce

What Comes Inside the Kit

  • Pre-sliced sausage and ham
  • Aged kimchi
  • Rice cakes (tteok)
  • Instant ramen noodles
  • A single slice of cheddar cheese
  • Pre-cut green onions, zucchini, and carrots
  • Two tubs of concentrated seasoning sauce
  • A separate pouch of savoury broth

Everything arrives pre-sliced and measured, bringing active prep time down to near zero. While the packaging notes it serves two to three people, it is a generous, satisfying portion for two adults—especially paired with a bowl of steamed rice.

My One Recommended Upgrade: Tofu

The kit has everything you need for a full meal, but I had some leftover medium-firm tofu in the fridge, so I sliced it up and added it to the pot.

Tofu acts like a sponge, soaking up the spicy broth while balancing out the saltiness of the processed meats. If you have some on hand, it is an inexpensive addition that elevates the whole stew. Enoki mushrooms, extra scallions, or a handful of leafy greens would work nicely, too.

How to Cook It

  1. Build the base: Pour the broth into a wide, shallow pot and stir in about one-third of one seasoning sauce container.
  2. Simmer the vegetables: Add the pre-cut green onions, zucchini, and carrots, then bring the broth to a gentle boil.
  3. Add meats and tofu: Once the vegetables begin to soften, arrange the ham, sausage, rice cakes, and extra tofu around the pot. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
  4. Drop the noodles: Add the ramen noodle block into the centre. Cook until the noodles are tender yet springy (al dente).
  5. Melt the cheese: Turn off the heat, lay the cheddar slice directly on top of the noodles, and let the residual steam melt it into the rich broth.
Korean Army Stew Budae Jjigae bubbling in a pot with ramen noodles and melted cheese on top

Sunny’s Pro-Tip: Go Easy on the Sauce

The package provides two containers of seasoning paste, but start with just one-third of a single container.

Between the cured meats, kimchi, and seasoned broth, the stew intensifies and becomes saltier quickly as it boils down. Taste the broth once it starts bubbling, and add more sauce in small increments only if you want extra heat. It’s always easy to dial up the spice—but once the broth gets too salty, rescuing the balance requires extra unseasoned broth or water.

The Verdict

Budae-jjigae isn't meant to be portioned out quietly in bowls by the kitchen stove. It shines brightest placed over a portable burner right at the table, surrounded by bowls of rice, banchan, and a cold bottle of soju or beer.

For $19.99 CAD, this Hannam kit skips the hassle of opening multiple cans of meat and chopping vegetables, giving you an authentic, restaurant-grade Korean stew night at home.

  • Best for: Chilly weeknights, rainy weekend dinners, or casual drinks with friends.
  • Would I buy it again? Absolutely. Just keep extra tofu handy, watch the seasoning level, and don't forget the drinks.

Quick Store Details:

  • Location: Hannam Supermarket (Burnaby, BC)
  • Section: Refrigerated Deli / Prepared Meals
  • Price: $19.99 CAD
  • Portion: Generous for 2 adults (labeled as 2–3 servings)

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