Aromatic Wild Garlic Soybean Paste Soup (Dallae Doenjang Guk)
Fragrant Dallae Doenjang Guk (Wild Garlic and Soybean Paste Soup)
Wild garlic (dallae) has a wonderful aroma that shines best in a clear, light soup rather than a thick stew. This recipe brings out its refreshing, slightly pungent flavor perfectly. Enjoy this delightful soup that’s a taste of spring!
Main Ingredients- 1 bunch fresh wild garlic (dallae), about 100g
- 1L anchovy and kelp broth (or homemade broth)
- 1/3 block soft tofu (about 100g), cut into bite-sized pieces
- Small amount of white part of leek, thinly sliced (optional)
Seasoning- 1.5 Tbsp store-bought soybean paste (adjust if using homemade)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp store-bought soybean paste (adjust if using homemade)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by thoroughly washing the wild garlic (dallae). Gently brush off any dirt from the roots and rinse it under running water multiple times. Once clean, trim off the very root end if tough and cut the greens into roughly 3 equal sections. Prepare the tofu by cutting it into bite-sized cubes (about 1.5cm). Slice the leek thinly. Having all your ingredients prepped makes the cooking process much smoother.
Step 2
Pour 1L of anchovy and kelp broth into a pot and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the broth is vigorously boiling, add the prepared wild garlic and tofu. Next, take about 1.5 tablespoons of soybean paste in a ladle and dissolve it well into the boiling broth. After adding the soybean paste, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer gently. Cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the fragrant dallae and soft tofu to infuse the broth with their flavors.
Step 3
Once the soup starts to simmer, add the minced garlic (1 Tbsp) and the sliced leek. Let it simmer for another minute or two. This allows the slightly pungent dallae and the savory soybean paste to meld beautifully into a delicious soup. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed; add a little more soybean paste or a dash of soy sauce for richness. Serve hot with a bowl of rice for a comforting and flavorful meal!
