Noodle Journey Episode 63: Nongshim K Army Stew

I’m finally giving Nongshim’s K-Army Stew the proper review it deserves. The first time I tried it was purely by accident; I tore open a pack while unpacking a variety box, so I cooked it on the spot, but I knew I’d eventually circle back for a full review. Inspired by a Korean dish called budae jjigae, or “army stew,” this product is rooted in Korea’s postwar history, where ingredients from American military base commissaries like Spam, hot dogs, beans, and processed cheese were combined with traditionally Korean spicy soup bases and ingredients. That same spirit is carried into this instant version, and I’m curious to see how it holds up.

This one runs a bit pricier than your standard Nongshim offering. Expect to pay about $12.59 for a 4-pack online, though some Walmarts and local markets carry it for as low as $7. The bowl version is easier to find and under $3. The noodles are enhanced with potato starch for a chewier bite and paired with a powdered soup base and a sizable flake packet. That packet includes chili pinto beans, fish cake, green onion, chili rings, and dried kimchi. Despite the beef-flavored broth, the beef in the pack I’m reviewing appears to be artificial, making this pescatarian-safe, but check for yourself. Sodium clocks in at 2,020mg (88% of your daily value), so be warned.

Noodles:
These are noticeably denser and chewier than Nongshim’s typical noodles, thanks to the added potato starch. They pair nicely with the stew’s thickness and the flake textures. I’m docking half a point only because they absorb a little too much broth, leaving less liquid than I’d like in a stew-style product.
• 9/10

Spiciness:
The broth smells aggressive thanks to chili powder, gochugaru, and possibly paprika, but it’s slightly tamer than it looks. While it has red pepper and black pepper heat, it lands solidly in medium territory. If you’ve had other Nongshim red soups, this is just a bit more approachable.
• 5/10

Overall:
This was such a fun flavor bomb for me. The broth has a smoky, spicy, and peppery kick, with layers of garlic, chili, black pepper, and ginger. The flake packet is the real MVP here: the pinto beans taste like canned chili beans in the best way, the fish cake is sweet and tender (reminiscent of imitation crab), and the kimchi flakes bring great texture and tang. All of that flavor felt like it seeped into the broth too. It’s almost like a fishy, spicy junk food chili stew, and I mean that with love. The only thing holding it back from a perfect score is the saltiness, which becomes more apparent as you go.

This is the kind of bowl you could easily build a whole meal around, with Spam, cheese, leftover hot dog, or whatever else is in your fridge. In fact, I’m throwing in a slice of Spam and an egg once I’m done filming. But be warned: despite all my praise, this is a truly divisive aroma and flavor profile. My wife walked by while I was making it and asked if I was cooking cat food. If you’re not a fan of beans or fish, this probably isn’t for you. But if you’re adventurous and want a spicy, smoky, rich instant stew, this absolutely delivers.
• 9.5/10

Notes since filming:

Truly one of the most love-it-or-hate-it flavors I’ve ever reviewed. Either you appreciate all of the bold, fishy, beany umami this has to offer, or you think it smells like rotten feet.

I can’t tell if this is discontinued or in short supply or what. Nongshim’s USA site removed all traces of it being a current product in the middle of 2024, and it was scarce for a while, and then I saw it come back in stock at my favorite Asian market. I honestly have no idea what’s going on with this variety, but if you spot it and you are curious about the flavor, don’t hesitate to buy it in case it really does go away.