Clear Radish Soup (Muguk): A Comforting and Refreshing Recipe
Delicious and Stomach-Friendly Radish Soup!
Enjoy this light and satisfying radish soup, perfect for a hearty breakfast. It warms you up and keeps you full throughout the day. It’s also great for hangovers or when you have a low appetite!
Ingredients- 1 Korean radish (about 500g)
- 1/2 stalk green onion
- 50g fermented shrimp (saeujeot) (or substitute with fish sauce, soy sauce)
- 15g chili powder (1.5 Tbsp)
- 20g minced garlic (1 Tbsp)
- 1L rice water (or anchovy-kelp broth)
- 20ml perilla oil (2 Tbsp)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel the radish and cut it into bite-sized pieces, about 0.5cm thick. If they are too thin, they might break apart while cooking. Place the cut radish in a pot, add 2 Tbsp of perilla oil, and stir-fry over medium-low heat for about 3-5 minutes until the radish becomes translucent. Stir-frying in perilla oil deepens the radish’s refreshing flavor.
Step 2
Once the radish starts to look translucent, pour in 1L of rice water. If you don’t have rice water, you can use plain water or broth made from anchovies and kelp. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low heat and simmer until the radish is tender.
Step 3
When the radish is sufficiently cooked, add 50g of fermented shrimp (saeujeot) to season the soup. Saeujeot adds a savory depth and rich flavor. You can use soy sauce or fish sauce instead, but saeujeot truly enhances the taste of muguk. Simmer for a little longer after adding the saeujeot.
Step 4
Now, add the minced garlic and chili powder. Stir in 1 Tbsp of minced garlic and 1.5 Tbsp of chili powder. You can adjust the amount of chili powder to your preference. It’s better to taste and adjust rather than adding too much at once.
Step 5
Finally, thinly slice half a stalk of green onion diagonally. Add the sliced green onion to the pot and simmer for just a bit longer. This allows the fragrant aroma of the green onion to infuse into the soup. Avoid overcooking, as it will diminish the green onion’s crisp texture; simmer for about 1 minute.
Step 6
Turn off the heat, cover the pot with a lid, and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors of the ingredients to meld beautifully into the broth, making it richer and more complex. Simmer gently over medium heat for about 10 minutes.
Step 7
Your warm and refreshing clear radish soup is ready! It’s delicious served with rice or as a side dish. Enjoy a bowl of this comforting soup, and you’ll feel wonderfully nourished. Enjoy your meal!
