The Korean stew made with Spam, hot dogs, and kimchi after the Korean War is budae jjigae.
Budae jjigae means “army base stew,” referring to its connection with U.S. military camps in South Korea. It emerged during the poverty and food shortages surrounding the Korean War, when civilians obtained surplus or processed foods such as canned meat, ham, and sausages and combined them with familiar Korean ingredients, especially kimchi.
The recipe varies widely. Modern versions may include instant ramen, baked beans, American cheese, tofu, mushrooms, or gochujang. Uijeongbu is often associated with the dish, although several cities claim its origin and historians cannot identify one certain birthplace.
Budae jjigae is sometimes confused with ordinary kimchi jjigae. Kimchi jjigae centers on kimchi with ingredients such as pork or tofu, while budae jjigae is defined by its mixed assortment of processed and military-surplus-style ingredients.