Clear Cod Soup (Saeng Daegu Malgeun Tang): A Refreshing Taste of the Sea
Making Clear Cod Soup at Home | Elevating the Flavor with Jorjeot and Clam Broth
I purchased a meal kit for fresh cod clear soup and decided to share my own special way of preparing it. The kit included fresh cod, bean sprouts, water parsley, clams, and radish, along with solid minced garlic, a broth pack, and sliced chili peppers. However, I chose not to use the solid garlic, broth pack, and sliced chili peppers, opting instead for my personal touch to create a truly delicious cod soup. I seasoned it with ‘Jorjeot’ (fermented shrimp sauce), which imparts a delightful savory and slightly briny flavor, and used leftover clam broth from preparing a separate dish, ensuring a clear and deeply flavorful base. For garlic, I used fresh minced garlic from my pantry, and for chili, I added my own pre-chopped spicy Korean chili peppers (Cheongyang) and red chili peppers. The reason I opted for a meal kit was that buying fresh cod, bean sprouts, water parsley, and radish individually can surprisingly add up in cost. This way, I could use fresh ingredients and customize the preparation to my liking, resulting in a wonderful clear cod soup. This soup is perfect for chilly days, offering a warming yet refreshing experience with its spicy and clear broth, complemented by tender, flaky cod. Enjoy the comforting and invigorating taste!
Main Ingredients
- Fresh Cod Clear Soup Meal Kit (700g, includes fresh cod, clams, bean sprouts, water parsley, radish)
- Homemade Fresh Clam Broth (e.g., from cooking scallops or clams) 1.5L
- Water 100ml
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Chopped Spicy Korean Chili Peppers and Red Chili Peppers (adjust to your preference)
- 3 Tbsp Sliced Scallions (both white and green parts)
- 3 Tbsp Jorjeot (fermented shrimp sauce) or Saeujeot (fermented shrimp paste) for seasoning
Meal Kit Components
- Fresh Cod
- Cleaned Clams
- Crisp Bean Sprouts
- Aromatic Water Parsley
- Radish for sweetness and clarity
Unused Meal Kit Components
- Dehydrated Garlic Pack
- Broth Soup Pack
- Pre-sliced Leeks
- Pre-sliced Chili Peppers
- Fresh Cod
- Cleaned Clams
- Crisp Bean Sprouts
- Aromatic Water Parsley
- Radish for sweetness and clarity
Unused Meal Kit Components
- Dehydrated Garlic Pack
- Broth Soup Pack
- Pre-sliced Leeks
- Pre-sliced Chili Peppers
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing the foundation for your clear soup: the fresh clam broth. I’m using leftover broth that was chilled after cooking scallops. While the clam broth is naturally flavorful, I’m adding about 100ml of water to adjust the volume and ensure a perfectly balanced salinity. It’s a good idea to taste the broth at this stage to check its saltiness.
Step 2
In the clam broth, add the chopped spicy Korean chili peppers and red chili peppers for a touch of heat, the minced garlic for aroma, and the Jorjeot for a rich umami flavor. Bring the broth to a rolling boil over high heat. As it boils, foam will rise to the surface; diligently skim this foam off to ensure a crystal-clear soup with a cleaner taste.
Step 3
Once the broth has boiled and been skimmed, add the radish from the meal kit, which will lend a natural sweetness and subtle crispness to the soup. I’m also adding sliced scallions from my own kitchen for an extra layer of fresh oniony flavor. Let the broth come back to a boil after adding these ingredients.
Step 4
After skimming off any new foam that rises, carefully add the fresh cod pieces. The key to a truly excellent clear soup lies in achieving a balance of spicy notes and refreshing clarity. Using fermented shrimp sauces like Jorjeot or Saeujeot is a traditional method to enhance these qualities, lending a depth of flavor reminiscent of other beloved Korean clear broths like those made with sea bass or pork ribs.
Step 5
Allow the cod to cook and release its delicate flavor into the broth. Once the cod is nearly cooked through, it’s time to add the fresh bean sprouts and water parsley. These ingredients cook very quickly; simply let them simmer for a minute or two until they are just tender. Overcooking will make them mushy, so a quick boil is all that’s needed.
Step 6
And there you have it! A delicious and refreshing clear cod soup, brimming with juicy clams, tender cod, crisp bean sprouts, and aromatic water parsley. The combination of the savory clam broth, the subtle spice from the chilies, and the seasoning from the Jorjeot creates a wonderfully complex and invigorating soup. The radish adds a touch of natural sweetness, making this a truly satisfying dish. Cod has recently made a comeback in Korean fisheries, so take advantage of this fresh catch and prepare this comforting, soul-warming soup to ward off the chill. One spoonful is sure to refresh you from the inside out!
