Spicy and Refreshing Squid and Radish Soup
A Bowl of Comfort: Spicy and Refreshing Squid and Radish Soup
Here’s a recipe for Squid and Radish Soup, a dish I haven’t made in ages! Fresh squid, in season, meets the refreshing coolness of daikon radish to create a soup that’s both invigorating and delightfully spicy. It’s a dish with a magical charm that will have you finishing your rice bowl in no time. Whether it’s a special occasion or just a day you crave a hearty, satisfying meal, this squid and radish soup is perfect to make anytime. Shall we get started on making this delicious soup together?
Main Ingredients- Squid: approx. 1 to 1.5 (cleaned)
- Daikon Radish: 1.5 cups (sliced thinly)
- Grapeseed Oil: 2 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes): 3 Tbsp
- Water: 1 L (approx. 4 cups)
- Soup Soy Sauce (Gukganjang): 1 Tbsp
- Salt: 2 tsp (adjust to taste)
- Fish Sauce: 1/2 Tbsp (for added umami)
- Minced Garlic: 1 Tbsp
- Green Onion: 1-2 stalks (sliced diagonally)
- Spicy Chili Peppers (e.g., Cheongyang): 3 (optional, for extra heat)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the squid under running water. Then, cut it into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm long.
Step 2
Wash the daikon radish, peel it, and then slice it thinly into half-moon shapes (about 0.5 cm thick). Make sure the slices aren’t too thin, or they might break apart while cooking.
Step 3
Heat a pot over medium heat and add 2 Tbsp of grapeseed oil.
Step 4
Once the oil is slightly heated, add 3 Tbsp of gochugaru. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds to 1 minute over low heat, being careful not to burn it, to create chili oil. Burnt chili flakes can make the soup taste bitter.
Step 5
Add the sliced daikon radish to the chili oil and stir-fry, coating the radish with the oil, as if you’re tossing it.
Step 6
After stir-frying the radish for about 2-3 minutes until it starts to look translucent, pour in 1 L of water and bring it to a boil over high heat.
Step 7
Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the radish becomes completely translucent and tender. This step allows the refreshing flavor of the radish to infuse into the broth.
Step 8
Once the radish is cooked through, add 1 Tbsp of soup soy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp of fish sauce, and 2 tsp of salt to season the broth. It’s best to season slightly lightly at first and adjust the final taste later.
Step 9
Add the prepared squid,
Step 10
and 1 Tbsp of minced garlic. Bring the soup back to a boil.
Step 11
Once the squid turns opaque and cooks through, simmer for another 6-7 minutes to allow the flavors of the squid and radish to meld beautifully. Be careful not to overcook the squid, as it can become tough. Finally, add the diagonally sliced green onions and spicy chili peppers (optional), let it simmer for another moment, then turn off the heat. Your delicious Squid and Radish Soup is ready!
