Hearty Perilla Seed and Rice Cake Seaweed Soup
A Nutritious and Delicious Seaweed Soup with Rice Cakes and Perilla Seeds
For all the home cooks wondering what to make for dinner tonight, here’s a special twist on a classic! We’ve enhanced the familiar seaweed soup with chewy rice cakes and nutty perilla seeds, creating a deeply savory and comforting broth. This soup is not only flavorful but also wonderfully filling, making it a satisfying meal on its own. The harmonious blend of tender seaweed, chewy rice cakes, and rich perilla seeds will surely tantalize your taste buds.
Main Ingredients- 1/2 cup dried seaweed (approx. 5g)
- 3 cups anchovy-kelp broth (720ml)
- 100g clams, shucked
- 50g tteokguk rice cakes (garae-tteok)
- 2 tablespoons ground perilla seeds
- 1 tablespoon soup soy sauce or fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, soak the dried seaweed in cold water for about 10-15 minutes until fully rehydrated. Squeeze out excess water and chop into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4cm long). If your rice cakes are hard, soak them in cold water for 20-30 minutes to soften. Heat sesame oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the chopped seaweed, shucked clams, and optional minced garlic. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the seaweed is well-coated with oil. This step enhances the tenderness and savory flavor of the seaweed.
Step 2
Once the seaweed and clams are nicely sautéed, pour in 3 cups of anchovy-kelp broth. Bring the soup to a boil over high heat.
Step 3
As the broth begins to boil, add the softened rice cakes. Continue to cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until the rice cakes are tender. Ensure the rice cakes are well-soaked beforehand, as hard ones will take longer to cook.
Step 4
When the rice cakes are tender, season the soup with 1 tablespoon of soup soy sauce or fish sauce for a deeper umami flavor. Finally, stir in 2 tablespoons of ground perilla seeds and let it simmer for another minute or two. Avoid boiling for too long after adding the perilla seeds to preserve their nutty aroma and flavor. Adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
