Rich Beef and Seaweed Soup (Miyeokguk)
How to Make Hearty Beef Miyeokguk: A Simple Recipe Without Stir-frying the Seaweed
A detailed guide to making Miyeokguk, a traditional Korean soup, packed with tender beef and soft seaweed. This recipe emphasizes a deep, savory broth made from simmering beef, offering a comforting and nutritious meal, especially perfect for cooler days.
Main Ingredients- 1 handful dried seaweed (approx. 10g)
- 430g beef for soup (stew meat)
Broth and Seasoning- 3L water
- 2 Tbsp soup soy sauce (Guk-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 3L water
- 2 Tbsp soup soy sauce (Guk-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp salt (adjust to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by selecting good quality beef for soup, as the quality of the meat significantly impacts the final flavor of the Miyeokguk. To begin removing excess blood, soak the beef in cold water for about 3 minutes. Avoid soaking for too long, as this can diminish the beef’s flavor.
Step 2
After soaking, rinse the beef gently under cold water. Then, pour 3 liters of water into a pot and add the prepared beef. Simmering the beef first is crucial to create a rich, savory broth that forms the flavorful base of your Miyeokguk. This beef broth is the secret to a delicious soup!
Step 3
Bring the pot with beef and water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, let it simmer for about 3 more minutes, then carefully skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface using a ladle. This step ensures a clear and clean-tasting broth. After skimming, reduce the heat to low and let the beef broth simmer gently while you prepare the seaweed.
Step 4
Now, let’s prepare the star ingredient: seaweed! I’m using dried seaweed from Wando, known for its excellent quality and rich flavor when cooked. I stocked up during a sale because my family loves Miyeokguk so much. I’m using about a handful of dried seaweed, which will yield a generous portion for one bowl.
Step 5
Place the dried seaweed in a large bowl and cover it with enough water to fully submerge. Let it soak for about 5 minutes until it rehydrates. If you have extra time while the beef is soaking its blood, you can soak the seaweed at the same time to save time.
Step 6
After soaking for 5 minutes, the seaweed will have expanded considerably, as shown in the picture. Notice how fresh and plump it looks! Tip: In the summer, you can rinse this rehydrated seaweed, chop it finely, and enjoy it dipped in spicy red chili paste sauce (gochujang) for a refreshing treat! Now, to remove the saltiness, rinse the rehydrated seaweed thoroughly under cold running water, gently massaging it with your hands a few times. Removing excess salt is key to achieving the soup’s characteristic mild and refreshing taste.
Step 7
The amount of rehydrated seaweed will fill about one large soup bowl. My family enjoys a lot of seaweed in their soup, so I used a bit more than usual. Feel free to adjust the amount of dried seaweed according to your preference. More seaweed will result in a thicker, richer soup.
Step 8
Gently squeeze out the excess water from the rinsed seaweed and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Avoid chopping it too finely, as it can become mushy. Aim for pieces that are easy to eat.
Step 9
Add all the prepared seaweed to the gently simmering beef broth over low heat. The beauty of this recipe is that there’s no need to stir-fry the seaweed separately, making it quick and easy to prepare. This results in a wonderfully light and clean-tasting beef Miyeokguk. Highly recommended!
Step 10
It’s time for the final seasoning. Add 2 tablespoons of soup soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of salt to the rich, savory beef broth. See how simple the seasoning is? Start with these amounts, let it simmer, and then taste. Add more salt if needed to adjust to your personal preference. Soup soy sauce adds umami, while salt provides a clean finish to the overall flavor.
Step 11
Voila! Your hearty Beef Miyeokguk is ready. The deep, savory broth, infused with tender beef, makes this soup both comforting and flavorful. On these cool mornings and evenings, a warm bowl of this Beef Miyeokguk is the perfect way to start your day or enjoy a satisfying meal. Enjoy your delicious soup!
