Napa Cabbage Soybean Paste Soup with Perilla Oil
Rich & Savory Napa Cabbage Soybean Paste Soup with Toasted Perilla Oil!
Experience the delightful crispness of napa cabbage in this soup, made by stir-frying the cabbage in perilla oil before adding soybean paste. This method enhances the cabbage’s natural sweetness and the soup’s overall depth of flavor. It’s a wonderfully comforting and hearty dish, perfect for a chilly day.
Main Ingredients
- 8 large Napa cabbage leaves (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 5 cups rice water (approximately 1L)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Welcome! Today, we’re making ‘Napa Cabbage Soybean Paste Soup,’ a dish celebrated for the rich, nutty aroma of perilla oil. It’s a warm, nutritious soup that’s perfect for cooler weather.
Step 2
First, thoroughly wash the fresh napa cabbage leaves. Then, cut them into pieces that are easy to eat in one bite. If you cut the tougher stem parts a bit smaller, they will become even more tender when cooked.
Step 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of perilla oil in a pot or wok over medium heat. Add the prepared napa cabbage and stir-fry until the cabbage wilts and becomes slightly golden brown. This sautéing step is one of the secrets to the deep flavor of this cabbage soybean paste soup!
Step 4
Once the cabbage is tender from stir-frying, add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and 2 tablespoons of soybean paste. Stir everything together with the cabbage, cooking for about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn the soybean paste. Stir-frying it with the cabbage will further enhance its savory aroma.
Step 5
Now, pour in 5 cups of rice water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Rice water adds a wonderfully creamy and smooth texture to the soup’s broth. Once the soup comes to a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for another 5-7 minutes, allowing the cabbage to cook thoroughly.
Step 6
As the soup boils, skim off any foam that rises to the surface using a spoon. This will result in a clearer, cleaner broth. Finally, add a generous amount of finely chopped green onion and simmer for a short while longer to infuse the soup with the fresh, oniony fragrance.
Step 7
Voila! Your delicious Napa Cabbage Soybean Paste Soup is ready. Taste it and add a pinch of salt if needed to adjust the seasoning to your preference.
Step 8
On a day like today, when the weather is a bit chilly, enjoying this comforting soup with a warm bowl of rice will truly warm your body and soul. The combination of the crisp cabbage and the savory soybean paste is exceptional, so please give it a try!
