On a Saturday afternoon with a gentle breeze and the rustle of fallen leaves, the streets of Uijeongbu were filled with the spicy aroma of budae jjigae — Korean army stew — simmering in steaming pots

The 18th Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae Festival in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, held on Saturday afternoon. (Yonhap)
The 18th Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae Festival in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, held on Saturday afternoon. (Yonhap)
A mural of budae jjigae is seen on a wall along the street where the Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae Festival takes place. (Yonhap)
A mural of budae jjigae is seen on a wall along the street where the Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae Festival takes place. (Yonhap)

That irresistible scent came from the Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae Festival, which took place along the street named “Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae Street,” near Uijeongbu Station, lined with restaurants specializing in the dish.

The city, widely known as the birthplace of budae jjigae, was once home to US military bases after the Korean War, and its signature dish was born when locals mixed leftover sausages and Spam from the bases with Korean ingredients like kimchi and gochujang (Korean red chili paste).

A group of chefs preapre a new dish by fusing ingredients used in budae jjigae with Mexican tacos during a cooking contest at the Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae Festival. (Yonhap)
A group of chefs preapre a new dish by fusing ingredients used in budae jjigae with Mexican tacos during a cooking contest at the Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae Festival. (Yonhap)

Participants in a cooking contest at the Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae Festival. (Yonhap)
Participants in a cooking contest at the Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae Festival. (Yonhap)

Now in its 18th year, the annual festival brings together locals and tourists alike to promote the dish that has grown into one of the city’s most representative cultural assets.

During the festival, a cooking contest themed around budae jjigae was held, where one group of chefs created Mexican tacos inspired by the stew’s signature flavors.

The event takes place from noon to 5 p.m. through Sunday, with all restaurants along Budae Jjigae Street offering a 1,000 won ($0.69) discount per serving.


cjh@heraldcorp.com