Buddae Jjigae

Literally means "army stew," Buddae Jjigae is a hodgepodge stew of sausages, Spam, American cheese, instant noodles, tteok, and assorted vegetables that has become popular in South Korea in the aftermath of the Korean War. During that time, meat was scarce so cooks have found creative replacements in the surplus foods from the American army base stationed in Seoul, hence the stew's name. Although meat has since then become plentiful, a buddae jjigae without Spam is unimaginable.