Rich and Spicy Baek Jong-won Style Dakgaejang (Spicy Chicken Soup)
Quick Baek Jong-won Style Dakgaejang Recipe Using Fridge Ingredients
A hearty Dakgaejang that your whole family will love! Did you realize you forgot to buy fern bracken and panic? Don’t worry! You can still make a deeply flavorful and spicy Dakgaejang in the style of Baek Jong-won using leeks from your fridge and other pantry staples. Substitute the missing fern bracken with robust leeks and prepare this delicious Dakgaejang.
Main Ingredients- 1 whole chicken (cleaned)
- 4 stalks of leek (separate green and white parts)
- 300g bean sprouts
- Leek greens (for broth)
- A few sprigs of rosemary (optional, for removing gaminess)
Seasoning & Condiments- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to taste)
- 6 Tbsp soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang)
- 3 Tbsp minced garlic
- Salt (to taste)
- A few sprigs of rosemary (optional)
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to taste)
- 6 Tbsp soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang)
- 3 Tbsp minced garlic
- Salt (to taste)
- A few sprigs of rosemary (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly under cold running water. Drain them well in a colander. This helps prevent the bean sprouts from becoming mushy or clumping together in the soup.
Step 2
Rinse the chicken under clean water. Carefully remove any excess fat, blood, or impurities from the inside of the chicken, as these can cause a gamey flavor and cloud the broth. Thoroughly cleaning the chicken ensures a clear and delicious soup.
Step 3
Cut the cleaned leeks into bite-sized pieces, about 5-7cm long, or chop them more finely if you prefer. This is an important ingredient for the texture of the Dakgaejang, so prepare them to your liking.
Step 4
In a deep pot, add enough water to fully submerge the cleaned chicken. Add the chicken, leek greens, and optional rosemary sprigs. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium heat and simmer for about 30 minutes. Herbs like rosemary or bay leaves can help remove the chicken’s gaminess, so feel free to use any aromatics you have on hand.
Step 5
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot. Strain the chicken broth through a fine-mesh sieve to obtain a clear broth, and set it aside. This step is key for a clear Dakgaejang. Let the cooked chicken cool slightly, then shred it into bite-sized pieces along the grain while it’s still warm.
Step 6
In a wide pot, heat the cooking oil and sesame oil over medium-low heat. Add the chopped leeks and sauté until fragrant, releasing their sweet aroma. Sautéing the leeks until they become translucent and fragrant is crucial for developing their flavor.
Step 7
Once the leeks are fragrant, add the gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes over low heat, being careful not to burn them. This process removes any powdery taste from the chili flakes and creates a vibrant color and spicy flavor. This creates a delicious ‘leek oil’ infused with chili.
Step 8
Pour the reserved chicken broth (about 3 liters) into the pot with the sautéed leeks and chili flakes. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium heat and let it simmer.
Step 9
Once the broth is simmering, add the shredded chicken and the rinsed bean sprouts.
Step 10
Simmer gently over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes, with or without a lid. This allows the ingredients to meld and develop a deep, rich flavor.
Step 11
Add the soup soy sauce (6 Tbsp) and minced garlic (3 Tbsp) to season the soup. If you have chicken stock, adding about half a tablespoon can enhance the umami flavor.
Step 12
After simmering for a bit longer, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed. For an extra kick, you can add finely chopped Cheongyang chili peppers (a type of Korean chili pepper).
Step 13
Your delicious Dakgaejang is ready! Enjoy it with a bowl of rice for a satisfying meal. You can also garnish with fresh green onions if desired.
Step 14
This Baek Jong-won style Dakgaejang, made easily with ingredients from your fridge, offers a wonderfully refreshing and spicy broth that’s truly top-notch! It’s a dish the whole family will love, so give it a try. It’s truly a ‘thumbs up’ kind of delicious! ^^
