Napa Cabbage and Radish Soup: A Comforting Winter Delicacy
Napa Cabbage and Radish Soup: Perfect for the Winter Season
Introducing a recipe for Napa Cabbage and Radish Soup that warms you up from the inside out, perfect to enjoy with a bowl of rice on a cold winter day. The fresh napa cabbage and crisp radish combine to create a deep and refreshing flavor, while doenjang (fermented soybean paste) and gochujang (Korean chili paste) add a savory and slightly spicy kick, making it enjoyable for the whole family. Using rice water for the broth results in a smoother and richer taste.
Broth Ingredients- 1.5L Rice Water
- 2 sheets Dried Kelp (5x5cm)
- 10 Dried Anchovies (for broth)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the broth by boiling the dried kelp and anchovies in rice water. Once it comes to a boil, remove the kelp after 5 minutes and the anchovies after 10 minutes to get a clean broth. (Don’t discard the kelp; slice it finely.) Add the sliced radish to the broth and boil for about 10 minutes until the radish becomes translucent.
Step 2
Cut the napa cabbage into bite-sized pieces. (Since cabbage shrinks significantly when cooked, add more than you think you’ll need initially for a balanced soup.) Add the cut napa cabbage to the pot and cook until it wilts. Once the cabbage is slightly cooked, dissolve 3 tablespoons of doenjang into the soup. You can do this by straining it through a sieve or by using a ladle to mix it well.
Step 3
After adding the doenjang, stir in 1 tablespoon of gochujang. Gochujang adds a spicy kick along with the savory flavor of doenjang, enhancing the soup’s overall taste.
Step 4
Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and taste the soup. If it’s too bland, adjust the seasoning with salt or soup soy sauce. (You can add chopped Korean green chili peppers for extra spice, if desired.)
Step 5
Add the thinly sliced kelp prepared earlier and 1 tablespoon of gochugaru, then let it simmer for a bit longer. The kelp adds an umami depth to the soup.
Step 6
Finally, add the diagonally sliced green onion and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Your delicious Napa Cabbage and Radish Soup is ready! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
