Spicy and Refreshing Kongnamul-guk (Bean Sprout Soup)
A Hearty and Revitalizing Kongnamul-guk – Perfect for Hangovers!
When your appetite is low in the morning, this Kongnamul-guk with rice mixed in will go down smoothly. It’s a spicy bean sprout soup that my kids and husband absolutely love.
Ingredients- 300g bean sprouts
- 1.2L anchovy and kelp broth
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp salted shrimp (saeujeot)
- A little bit of Cheongyang chili pepper (optional)
- A little bit of red chili pepper (optional)
- A little bit of green onion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the broth, which is the foundation of this soup’s delicious flavor. Use ingredients you have on hand like anchovies, kelp, dried pollack heads, dried shrimp, or dried anchovies (dipo-ri) to create a savory and refreshing broth. You’ll need about 1.2 liters.
Step 2
Rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly under running water. Remove any damaged sprouts or roots and drain them well.
Step 3
Prepare the seasonings and garnishes. Finely chop the green onion. Remove the seeds from the Cheongyang and red chili peppers and chop them finely as well. In a mixing bowl, combine the salted shrimp, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes.
Step 4
Pour the pre-made broth into a pot and add the rinsed bean sprouts. Bring to a boil over high heat. It’s important to keep the lid on while it boils to prevent the bean sprouts from having a strong, raw smell.
Step 5
Once the bean sprouts are cooked and the soup comes to a rolling boil, remove the lid. Add the prepared minced garlic, salted shrimp, and red pepper flakes. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 5 more minutes. Using salted shrimp for seasoning adds a wonderful depth of flavor.
Step 6
Finally, add the chopped green onion, Cheongyang chili pepper, and red chili pepper. Let it simmer briefly for another moment before turning off the heat. It’s key to only simmer briefly to keep the fresh aroma of the peppers and green onion intact.
Step 7
And there you have it – a delicious Kongnamul-guk is complete! The combination of the spicy, refreshing broth and the crisp bean sprouts is truly delightful. Enjoy it with a bowl of rice!
