Shrimp and Seaweed Soup: A Refreshing and Savory Delight
Cool and Deep Flavored Shrimp Seaweed Soup
Wondering what to make for dinner tonight? Seaweed came to mind! And we also bought some large shrimp from Costco. This soup is a delightful combination of tender seaweed and succulent shrimp, offering a refreshing yet deeply savory broth. The subtle sweetness of the onion and the gentle richness of the rice water (or alternative broth) create a harmonious flavor profile, perfect for any meal.
Ingredients- 40g dried seaweed
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (Guk-ganjang)
- 1/2 Tbsp salt
- 1/2 onion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
1. First, soak the dried seaweed in cold water until it’s fully rehydrated. It’s best to let it soak for at least 30 minutes to ensure it becomes tender. Once rehydrated, gently squeeze out excess water and rinse it thoroughly under running water. Squeeze out any remaining water and cut the seaweed into bite-sized pieces. Heat a pot and add a bit of sesame oil. Sauté the cut seaweed until it softens slightly. (Note: The photo doesn’t show onions at this stage, but you can add them here if you prefer. We’ll add them later for a clearer broth.)
Step 2
2. Continue to stir-fry the seaweed until it looks a bit wilted. Then, pour in rice water (or fish-kelp broth, or plain water if rice water isn’t available). This adds a subtle, milky richness to the broth. At this point, you can add the sliced onion. Bring the soup to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. The onion will add sweetness and depth to the soup. Let it boil vigorously for about 15 minutes, then remove the onion pieces to keep the broth clear and prevent it from becoming cloudy.
Step 3
3. Add the prepared shrimp, cut into appropriate sizes, to the pot. Stir in the minced garlic. Season the soup with soy sauce for soup (Guk-ganjang) and salt. We tend to prefer less salt, so we start with a lighter seasoning. You can always add more later to taste. For reference, we used 3 Tbsp of Guk-ganjang and 1/2 Tbsp of salt.
Step 4
4. It’s said that the longer seaweed soup simmers, the more delicious it becomes! So, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently for about another 40 minutes. This allows all the flavors to meld beautifully. Your nourishing Shrimp Seaweed Soup is now ready! Isn’t the color of the broth lovely?
