Spicy Fish Roe Stew (Al Tang) with a Warming Broth
How to Make a Deliciously Flavorful Al Tang on a Chilly Day
The weather has turned a bit cooler than yesterday, making us crave a warm, comforting soup. Today, I’m sharing a recipe for Al Tang that looks and tastes so good, you’ll be exclaiming with delight! Last night, I made this very stew and enjoyed some soju with my father. The broth was wonderfully refreshing! Let me introduce you to a recipe for making this delicious Al Tang with its signature cool and clear broth!
Al Tang Ingredients- 200g daikon radish, thinly sliced
- 400g frozen assorted fish roe (e.g., pollack roe, milt, monkfish roe)
- 1 handful fresh bean sprouts
- 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
- 1 stalk green onion, cut diagonally
- 1/2 pack enoki mushrooms, trimmed
- 1 red chili pepper, deseeded and sliced diagonally
- 1 Korean green chili pepper (tteangcho), deseeded and sliced diagonally
- 2-3 sprigs crown daisy (ssukgat), prepared for eating
- 1L broth made from dried kelp, dried anchovy (dpo-ri), and dried small anchovies
- 1 handful mussels, washed clean
- A little bit of cocktail shrimp (optional)
Al Tang Seasoning- 2 Tbsp fine gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 1/3 Tbsp miso paste
- 1 tsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp mirin (cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Cheongju or soju
- 1/2 tsp ginger powder
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp coarse gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 1/2 Tbsp tuna extract
- 2 Tbsp fine gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 1/3 Tbsp miso paste
- 1 tsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp mirin (cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Cheongju or soju
- 1/2 tsp ginger powder
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp coarse gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 1/2 Tbsp tuna extract
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the seasoning paste that will add depth to your Al Tang! In a small bowl, combine the fine gochugaru, miso paste, gochujang, soup soy sauce, mirin, Cheongju (or soju), and ginger powder. Exclude the tuna extract and minced garlic for now. Mix them well and let them soak for about 10 minutes. Pre-soaking the seasonings helps the flavors meld beautifully into the ingredients.
Step 2
It’s important to remove any fishy odor from the fresh seafood. Rinse the frozen assorted fish roe under running water until clean and place them in a sieve to drain. Similarly, wash the mussels and cocktail shrimp thoroughly under running water. Adding plenty of mussels or clams will make the broth even more refreshing and delicious!
Step 3
Now, it’s time to make the Al Tang broth. Pour 1L of the broth, made from dried kelp, dpo-ri, and anchovies, into a pot. Add the thinly sliced daikon radish. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until the radish turns translucent, allowing its refreshing flavor to infuse the broth.
Step 4
Once the radish is tender, dissolve the pre-made seasoning paste into the broth. Stir well to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Step 5
Now, let’s add the star ingredients of Al Tang: the assorted fish roe and seafood! Carefully place the assorted fish roe, prepared mussels, and cocktail shrimp into the pot. To enhance the flavor, add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic, 1 Tbsp of coarse gochugaru, and 1/2 Tbsp of tuna extract. Add the sliced Korean green chilies and green onions for a bit of heat. You can also add a pinch of black pepper if you like.
Step 6
It’s time to add the bean sprouts, which are key to the refreshing taste of Al Tang! Place the washed handful of bean sprouts on top of the stew. Cover the pot and cook for about 1 minute and 30 seconds. It’s important not to overcook the bean sprouts, as they can become mushy. Just let them wilt slightly.
Step 7
This is the final step! Garnish with the fragrant crown daisy. Thanks to the fresh seafood and crisp bean sprouts, the broth is absolutely delightful. Enjoying the variety of roe – plump pollack roe, tender milt, and chewy monkfish roe – makes this dish even more special. The rich, savory flavor of the roe fills your mouth, making it a hit with anyone who enjoys a good drink. Enjoy your meal!
