Hearty Pollock and Seaweed Soup (Hwangtae Miyeokguk)
How to Make Pollock and Seaweed Soup: A Delicious Meatless Recipe with Tofu
Though the days are pleasant lately, the mornings and evenings are still a bit chilly, so I find myself craving a warm bowl of soup. Today, I decided to make Hwangtae Miyeokguk, a comforting and flavorful soup.
Ingredients- 15g dried, cut seaweed
- 35g dried pollock strips (Hwangtae)
- 1 block (300g) firm tofu
- 1-2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (Guk-ganjang)
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce or tuna extract
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.7L water
- Salt to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by soaking the dried, cut seaweed in water for 5-10 minutes until softened. Rinse it thoroughly under cold water and gently squeeze out excess moisture. While the seaweed is soaking, cut the block of tofu into bite-sized cubes.
Step 2
Briefly rinse the dried pollock strips (Hwangtae) under water to soften them slightly. Gently squeeze out the excess water. This step helps to make the pollock tender and contributes to a cleaner broth.
Step 3
Heat 1-2 tablespoons of sesame oil in a pot over medium-low heat. Add the prepared pollock strips and stir-fry until fragrant, being careful not to burn them. Once the pollock is aromatic, add the rinsed seaweed to the pot. Continue to sauté the pollock and seaweed together for a few minutes, allowing some of their moisture to evaporate. This helps to deepen their flavors.
Step 4
Pour 1.7 liters of water into the pot. Add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce for soup (Guk-ganjang), 2 tablespoons of fish sauce or tuna extract, and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Bring the soup to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat slightly and season with salt to your preference. Taste and adjust the saltiness as needed.
Step 5
Once the broth is well-seasoned, gently add the cubed tofu to the pot. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes, just until the tofu is heated through. Avoid overcooking the tofu, as it can become mushy. Your delicious and comforting Pollock and Seaweed Soup is now ready to be served!
