Refreshing & Clean! Easy Oyster Soup (Gul-guk) Recipe
Let’s Make Delicious Oyster Soup (Gul-guk)
This is a super simple recipe for Oyster Soup (Gul-guk) that boasts a wonderfully refreshing and deep broth, seasoned with store-bought anchovy broth and salted shrimp. The harmony of the clear, clean soup and plump oysters will make you want to finish a bowl of rice in no time!
Main Ingredients- 200g fresh oysters
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt (for washing oysters)
- 200g Korean radish (sliced thinly)
- 4 leaves of baby napa cabbage (cut into similar size as radish)
- 1/2 stalk of green onion (cut into 4 pieces, then diagonally)
- 8 cups water (approx. 1.6L)
- 2 Tbsp store-bought all-purpose anchovy broth
- 1 Tbsp salted shrimp (minced)
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
It’s important to wash the fresh oysters thoroughly. In a bowl, add 1 Tbsp of coarse salt and a little water to create a saltwater solution. Add the oysters and gently swirl them with your hands 2-3 times to remove impurities. Drain them completely in a colander.
Step 2
Slice the Korean radish thinly to add a refreshing taste to the soup. Separate the baby napa cabbage leaves and cut them into pieces similar in size to the radish, so they become tender when cooked.
Step 3
Cut the green onion into 4 pieces, then slice them diagonally into large pieces. The key is to let the subtle aroma of the green onion infuse the clear broth.
Step 4
Now, prepare a pot for cooking the oyster soup. Pour 8 cups (about 1.6L) of clean water into the pot.
Step 5
Add 2 Tbsp of the store-bought all-purpose anchovy broth to add a deep umami flavor to the soup. If you don’t have anchovy broth, you can use an anchovy-kelp broth pack or boil dried anchovies and kelp in plain water.
Step 6
Add the prepared sliced radish and cabbage to the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until the vegetables are somewhat softened.
Step 7
Once the soup starts boiling vigorously, it’s time to season it. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Step 8
Add 1/2 tsp of minced garlic and 1 Tbsp of minced salted shrimp to enhance the soup’s flavor. Salted shrimp is a key ingredient that adds umami and a refreshing taste to the broth. Let it simmer for a bit longer after adding the salted shrimp.
Step 9
Check if the radish and cabbage are cooked until translucent. Once they are tender to the bite, proceed to the next step.
Step 10
Add the sliced green onions to the pot and simmer for a little while longer.
Step 11
Now it’s time to add the star of the soup: the oysters. Carefully add the clean, washed oysters.
Step 12
Oysters can become tough if overcooked, so it’s best to boil them for only 1-2 minutes after adding them. Check if the oysters are plump and cooked. Finally, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed, according to your preference. Your delicious oyster soup is ready!
