Refreshing and Spicy Mussel Soup
How to Make Delicious Mussel Soup Easily at Home
This recipe introduces how to make a delicious mussel soup easily at home using fresh mussels. The process from preparation to cooking is simple, making it a dish you can enjoy without any hassle. Its refreshing and deep broth is excellent, perfect as a side dish for drinks or a meal. Create a bountiful table with this cost-effective mussel soup!
Key Ingredients- 900g Fresh Mussels
- 5-6 cloves Garlic
- A handful of Scallions or Green Onions
- 1-2 Korean Red Chilies (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
- 1.5 Tbsp Cooking Wine or Mirin (to remove fishy smell)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Properly cleaning fresh mussels is the first step to a delicious mussel soup. Mussels bought from a market are usually well-prepped, but check them thoroughly and trim as needed.
Step 2
Remove any dirt or debris from the mussel shells using a kitchen brush or by rubbing the shells against each other. Farmed mussels tend to have less attached debris than wild ones.
Step 3
Grasp the beard (byssus threads) on the edge of the mussel firmly and pull it off with your hand. Skipping this step can result in an unpleasant texture, so be sure to remove it.
Step 4
Discard any mussels with broken or open shells, as they might not be fresh. Rinse the remaining mussels several times under running water to remove any remaining impurities and wash them clean.
Step 5
Prepare the vegetables that will add flavor to your mussel soup. Thinly slice the garlic and finely chop the scallions (or green onions). If you prefer a spicy kick, thinly slice the Korean red chilies diagonally.
Step 6
Place the cleaned mussels in a pot and add enough water to generously cover them.
Step 7
Place the pot over medium-high heat and add the sliced garlic. The subtle aroma of garlic will make the broth deeper and cleaner.
Step 8
Once the water starts to boil, add 1.5 tablespoons of cooking wine or mirin. As the alcohol evaporates, it effectively removes the characteristic fishy smell of seafood, resulting in a cleaner broth.
Step 9
As the mussel soup comes to a rolling boil, skim off any foam that rises to the surface with a spoon. This process will make the broth clearer and more refined.
Step 10
When more than half of the mussels have opened their shells, add the sliced Korean red chilies and scallions (or green onions). The fragrant aroma of the onions combined with the spicy heat of the chilies will create a wonderfully flavorful broth.
Step 11
Finally, it’s time to season. Mussels themselves release a natural savory and salty flavor. Taste the broth first, and then adjust with a little salt to your preference. Be careful not to add too much.
Step 12
Serve the finished mussel soup attractively in bowls. Your refreshing mussel soup, both visually appealing and delicious, is now complete! Enjoy it hot right away.
