Spicy and Refreshing Kimchi Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup)
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A clear and refreshing anchovy broth tteokguk is delightful, and a rich, deep bone broth or beef brisket broth tteokguk is superb. However, today’s star is ‘Kimchi Jjigae’ broth! We’re making ‘Kimchi Tteokguk’ by adding chewy rice cakes to a flavorful kimchi broth, simmered with well-fermented kimchi in a base of either store-bought natural broth or homemade anchovy-kelp broth. This dish is a perennial favorite that never gets old. Topping it generously with savory crumbled roasted seaweed (gim) enhances its flavor, creating an irresistible bowl that makes you want to add rice and finish every last drop. Perfect for enjoying a warm meal on a chilly day, let’s make Kimchi Tteokguk right now!
Ingredients
- 2 cups Tteokguk Tteok (rice cakes for soup)
- 1L Natural Broth or Anchovy-Kelp Broth
- 1/4 head of well-fermented Napa Cabbage Kimchi, chopped
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Kimchi Brine
- 2 Tbsp Korean Soup Soy Sauce (for seasoning)
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Chopped Green Onion
- 1 pack of seasoned roasted seaweed (Gim) for topping
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the broth, which will be the delicious base for our Kimchi Tteokguk. Place natural seasonings in a broth bag and simmer with 1L of water. If you don’t have natural seasonings, you can make a clear broth by simmering anchovies and kelp for about 15-20 minutes. If using only anchovies, removing their heads and guts and simmering them in cold water can yield a richer, more savory flavor. Once the broth is ready, strain out the solids, leaving just the clean broth.
Step 2
To the prepared broth, add the chopped kimchi. Adding about 3 tablespoons of kimchi brine will enhance the spicy flavor and umami of the kimchi. Now, add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 2 tablespoons of chopped green onions, and 1 teaspoon of gochugaru for a touch of spiciness, and mix well. We haven’t seasoned it yet; let the ingredients simmer together for a bit.
Step 3
While the kimchi broth is simmering, prepare the rice cakes for the soup. Rinse the tteokguk tteok under cold water or soak them for about 10 minutes to soften them. This helps prevent the rice cakes from sticking together and results in a chewier texture. Also, for the topping, place the seasoned roasted seaweed (gim) in a small plastic bag and crush it finely with your hands. A single pack of snack-sized seasoned seaweed is perfect.
Step 4
Once the kimchi and seasonings have sufficiently infused, creating a spicy and refreshing kimchi broth, add the prepared tteokguk tteok. Stir gently with chopsticks or a ladle to prevent the rice cakes from sticking to the bottom of the pot. As the rice cakes cook, the broth will start to thicken slightly. When the rice cakes are tender, begin seasoning. First, add 2 tablespoons of Korean soup soy sauce. If the taste isn’t quite right, add a little salt or fish sauce (myeolchi aekjeot) to adjust to your preference. Be mindful not to add too much soup soy sauce, as it can make the broth look cloudy. Once the rice cakes are tender, your Kimchi Tteokguk is complete!
Step 5
Transfer the finished Kimchi Tteokguk generously into a large serving bowl. Make sure to include plenty of rice cakes and broth. Finally, drizzle a drop of sesame oil over the soup. The nutty aroma of sesame oil will complement the spicy flavor of the kimchi broth, creating an even richer taste experience.
Step 6
Place the seasoned roasted seaweed (gim) prepared for the topping into a small plastic bag and crush it finely with your hands. This is a quick and easy way to make delicious seaweed flakes. Ensure you break up any large clumps for an even crumble.
Step 7
Generously sprinkle the finely crushed seaweed flakes over the Kimchi Tteokguk. Lastly, add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for the final touch. Your delicious Kimchi Tteokguk, with its perfectly spicy and refreshing flavor, is now ready! Enjoy this unique dish that’s like tteokguk and kimchi stew combined for a satisfying and warm meal.
