Simple Clear Radish Soup (Muguk) Recipe
Refreshing and Clear Radish Soup for a Clear Palate
A comforting bowl of clear and refreshing radish soup, perfect for warming you up on a chilly day. This ultra-simple recipe delivers a delicious, deeply flavored radish soup that’s ideal for enjoying with rice. We’ll achieve a wonderfully light and clean broth by highlighting the natural sweetness of fresh radish, without any complicated steps.
Ingredients for Refreshing Clear Radish Soup
- 1/3 Korean radish (about 300g)
- 1.5 onions (about 150g)
- 1.5L water for broth (anchovy or kelp stock recommended, or plain water)
- 1 stalk green onion
- 1-2 Tbsp Korean soup soy sauce (ganjang), to taste
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic (optional)
- Salt, to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the main ingredients: 1/3 Korean radish and 1.5 onions. Wash the radish thoroughly and peel it. Peel the onions as well.
Step 2
Slice the radish thinly into rounds about 0.5cm thick (nabak-seolgi). Alternatively, for a softer texture in the soup, you can thinly julienne the radish using a mandoline slicer. Julienne radish tends to make the broth clearer and more tender.
Step 3
Julienne the 1.5 onions into pieces of similar thickness to the radish. Avoid slicing them too thinly, as they might break down too much during cooking.
Step 4
Place the julienned radish and onions in a bowl. Add 1 Tbsp of Korean soup soy sauce and 1 tsp of salt. Gently mix them together and let them sit for about 10-15 minutes. This process draws out moisture from the vegetables, making the broth clearer and more refreshing, while also imparting a subtle base seasoning for added flavor.
Step 5
While the radish and onions are salting, prepare your broth. In a pot, add dried anchovies or a piece of kelp, pour in 1.5L of water, and bring to a boil to create a flavorful stock. (If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought stock or plain water.)
Step 6
Once the broth is boiling, remove the anchovies or kelp. Lightly squeeze the excess liquid from the salted radish and onions (which have been drained in a colander) and add them to the pot. (Don’t discard the liquid that was drawn out; adding it back to the pot enhances the soup’s flavor.)
Step 7
Bring the soup to a rolling boil over high heat with the lid on. Once it’s boiling vigorously, reduce the heat to medium.
Step 8
As the soup boils, skim off any foam or scum that rises to the surface. This step is crucial for maintaining a clear and clean-tasting broth.
Step 9
Slice the green onion diagonally into bite-sized pieces. This will be added at the end to add a fresh, aromatic touch to the soup.
Step 10
Continue to simmer the soup over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the radish becomes translucent and tender. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more Korean soup soy sauce or salt as needed. Adding 1/2 Tbsp of minced garlic at this stage will further enhance the aroma and depth of flavor.
Step 11
Ladle the finished clear radish soup into individual serving bowls. A tiny sprinkle of black pepper can be added if desired.
Step 12
This clear radish soup is incredibly delicious spooned over a bowl of warm rice, making it a perfect meal. Even enjoyed on its own, the refreshing broth is wonderfully comforting and aids digestion. Enjoy this nutritious and simple radish soup, a truly satisfying and delicious dish!
