Tender Octopus and Soft Egg Soup: A Perfect Harmony
Nourishing and Refreshing Octopus and Egg Soup Recipe
Whip up a satisfying meal using your leftover vegetables and tender octopus. This soup boasts a wonderfully refreshing broth, perfect as a side dish for rice or even as a late-night snack.
Main Ingredients- 2 medium-sized fresh octopus
- 1 large napa cabbage leaf
- 3 fresh shiitake mushrooms
- 1/2 stalk of crisp green onion
- 1/4 sweet onion
- 2 spicy Korean chili peppers (cheongyang peppers)
- 2 pieces of dried kelp (dashima, approx. 10cm x 10cm)
- 2 large eggs
Broth & Seasoning Ingredients- 3 cups water (approx. 600ml)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce or salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
- A pinch of black pepper
- 3 cups water (approx. 600ml)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce or salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
- A pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by placing 3 cups of water and 2 pieces of dried kelp in a pot. Start heating it over medium heat. Once the water comes to a boil, remove the kelp to prevent bitterness.
Step 2
Rinse the cleaned octopus thoroughly under running water, rubbing it vigorously a few times. This helps remove any slimy residue, ensuring a cleaner texture and chewier bite.
Step 3
Prepare the vegetables that will add a refreshing taste to the broth. Chop the napa cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Remove the stems from the shiitake mushrooms and slice them thinly. Slice the onion into thin strips.
Step 4
Add the chopped napa cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, and sliced onion to the boiling broth (after removing the kelp). Cook until the vegetables are tender and have released their flavors into the broth. Simmering until the flavors are well infused is key.
Step 5
Once the vegetables are somewhat cooked, add the whole cleaned octopus to the pot. Cook for just about 2-3 minutes to keep it tender; overcooking can make it tough. While the octopus cooks, thinly slice the green onion on the bias and finely chop the Korean chili peppers. In a separate small bowl, whisk the 2 eggs until well beaten.
Step 6
Check if the octopus is cooked to your liking. Then, slowly pour the beaten eggs in a thin stream around the edges of the pot. As the egg starts to form soft curds, add the sliced green onions and chopped chili peppers. Season the soup with soy sauce or salt to taste. Finally, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil for a nutty aroma and turn off the heat. Enjoy this warm and comforting soup with a bowl of rice!
