Heartwarming Family Mandu-guk (Korean Dumpling Soup)
Simple and Delicious Mandu-guk for the Whole Family
This is an incredibly easy recipe that everyone in the family can enjoy together! It’s also a perfect dish for using up ingredients you have in your fridge. A truly comforting and satisfying meal.
Main Ingredients- 15 frozen dumplings
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1/3 medium carrot
- A small bunch of king oyster mushrooms (or enoki mushrooms)
- 1/3 stalk of green onion
- 1/3 small zucchini
Broth & Seasoning- 3 cups rice water (approx. 600ml)
- 4 pieces dried kelp (dachima, approx. 5x5cm each)
- 10 dried anchovies (small)
- 10 dried shrimp
- 2 Tbsp tuna extract (or fish sauce)
- 3 cups rice water (approx. 600ml)
- 4 pieces dried kelp (dachima, approx. 5x5cm each)
- 10 dried anchovies (small)
- 10 dried shrimp
- 2 Tbsp tuna extract (or fish sauce)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by making a flavorful broth. In a pot, pour in 3 cups of rice water. Add 10 dried anchovies, 10 dried shrimp, and 4 pieces of dried kelp. Simmer over medium heat for at least 10 minutes to extract a rich, savory broth. To avoid a bitter taste, remove the kelp once the water starts to boil.
Step 2
While the broth is simmering, let’s prepare the vegetables for the soup. Finely julienne the half onion. Slice the carrot and zucchini into similar thin strips. Separate the king oyster mushrooms into manageable pieces or trim the ends of enoki mushrooms. Having your vegetables prepped like this makes cooking much smoother.
Step 3
After simmering for 10 minutes, use a sieve to carefully strain out the anchovies, dried shrimp, and kelp from the broth. This step ensures a clean and clear soup. You can discard the strained ingredients or use them as part of the broth base if you prefer a more intense flavor.
Step 4
To the clarified broth, add all the prepared vegetables: onion, carrot, zucchini, and mushrooms. Season the soup with 2 tablespoons of tuna extract for added umami. If you don’t have tuna extract, you can use Korean soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang), but tuna extract will provide a deeper flavor.
Step 5
Finally, prepare the green onion by slicing it diagonally. This adds a refreshing aroma and visual appeal to the soup as it infuses into the broth.
Step 6
Once the broth comes to a boil, carefully add the dumplings. Then, add the sliced green onion. Gently stir to prevent the dumplings from sticking together.
Step 7
Continue to boil until the dumplings float to the surface and are cooked through, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Be mindful of the heat to prevent the dumplings from bursting. The best way to check if they’re done is to take one out and see if the filling is cooked.
Step 8
And there you have it – a delicious Mandu-guk! Serve it hot in bowls and enjoy. For an extra touch, you can garnish with thin strips of egg omelet or a sprinkle of chopped green onion. Enjoy this warm and satisfying meal with your loved ones!
