Spring Delight: Flavorful Dongdae Fish and Mugwort Soup
#SpringSeasonalDish #MealKitRecommendation #HowToMakeDongdaeMugwortSoup #AromaticMugwortDishes #FreshDongdaeFish #SpringDelicacy #EasyCooking
As spring arrives, the earth awakens with an abundance of fresh, green vegetables. Among them, mugwort is commonly found everywhere, even growing wild on hillsides. It’s said that mugwort harvested in spring has the most vibrant aroma and flavor. In particular, Tongyeong, a coastal city, offers a special seasonal delicacy only available during this time: Dongdae fish and mugwort soup (Dodari Ssuk Guk). I initially planned to buy fresh Dongdae fish and mugwort to cook this soup myself. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that meal kits for Dongdae Ssuk Guk are now available! It’s truly amazing how convenient modern life has become, allowing us to easily prepare seasonal dishes at home. I purchased two meal kits and prepared this simple yet delicious soup. Dongdae Ssuk Guk is typically made with a soybean paste (doenjang) base, which adds a rich, savory depth. Enjoy the authentic taste of Tongyeong right in your own kitchen!
Meal Kit Contents & Additional Ingredients- Dongdae Ssuk Guk Meal Kit (for 2 servings) 2640g
- Natural Seasoning Seafood Broth 500ml
- Baegil Doenjang (Soybean Paste) 3 Tbsp (approx. 60g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, in a pot, combine the 500ml of seafood broth and 3 tablespoons of doenjang. Stir until the doenjang is completely dissolved, ensuring there are no lumps. Gently dissolving it over low heat will enhance its savory flavor.
Step 2
Typically, the meal kit includes a concentrated broth base, fresh mugwort, chewy enoki mushrooms, radish and chili peppers for added freshness, and minced garlic for extra flavor. Open the package and confirm all contents are present.
Step 3
This meal kit also contains fresh Dongdae fish. Since we purchased two kits, we will be using one whole Dongdae fish per kit, totaling two fish. The fish should be pre-portioned for convenience.
Step 4
Once the broth with dissolved doenjang starts to boil, add the concentrated broth base from the meal kit and all the prepared vegetables (radish, chili peppers, etc.). Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Cooking the vegetables will deepen the soup’s flavor.
Step 5
When the soup is vigorously boiling, add the Dongdae fish pieces and continue to boil over high heat. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface to ensure a cleaner, clearer broth. After a short period of boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently, allowing the tender fish to meld with the broth.
Step 6
Once the Dongdae fish is cooked through, add the enoki mushrooms for a delightful chewy texture. Enoki mushrooms don’t require long cooking, so add them when the fish is almost fully cooked.
Step 7
Finally, just before serving, add the fresh mugwort and turn off the heat. Mugwort cooks quickly with residual heat, and it’s important to preserve its fresh, aromatic fragrance. This process will result in a rich and savory Dongdae Ssuk Guk, with the deep flavor of the fish and the essence of mugwort, reminiscent of a bone broth.
Step 8
Your aromatic Dongdae Ssuk Guk with its rich broth is now complete! The refreshing yet comforting soup is perfect for a hangover cure and provides a healthy, satisfying start to your day. The convenience of enjoying Tongyeong’s signature dish at home with a meal kit is truly wonderful. This is the ultimate dish to savor before spring bids farewell! Enjoy the delightful combination of fresh Dongdae fish and fragrant mugwort. Taste the season!
