Tender and Chewy Octopus Seaweed Soup: A Revitalizing and Nourishing Recipe
How to Make Invigorating Octopus Seaweed Soup
Today, I’m sharing a recipe for a refreshing and clean-tasting seaweed soup made with plump, tender octopus! Even if you don’t have fresh domestic octopus, you can achieve a wonderful flavor using air-flown, chilled fresh octopus from Thailand or Vietnam. Let’s start this budget-friendly, high-value octopus seaweed soup!
Ingredients- Fresh octopus (live or chilled) 250g
- Dried seaweed 25g
- Sesame oil 2 Tbsp
- Water 7 cups (approx. 1.4L)
- Anchovy extract 1 Tbsp
- Soup soy sauce 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Sake (or cooking wine) 1 Tbsp
- Salt to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Even though the octopus is pre-cleaned, we’ll give it an extra rinse with coarse salt to ensure any residual impurities are washed away.
Step 2
Place the octopus in a bowl and add 1 tablespoon of coarse salt. Gently knead the octopus. This process helps firm up the octopus meat and effectively removes any debris, especially from the suckers.
Step 3
Continue kneading until foamy bubbles appear. Rinse the octopus thoroughly with clean water two to three times until the water runs clear. Then, drain it well using a sieve.
Step 4
If you are preparing the octopus yourself, cut it into bite-sized, generous pieces. (This recipe assumes pre-prepared octopus.)
Step 5
Soak the dried seaweed (25g) in cold water for about 10 minutes until rehydrated. Once softened, cut the seaweed into manageable pieces. Rinse gently a couple of times in cold water, then drain in a sieve.
Step 6
Heat a pot over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. Add the cleaned octopus and 1 tablespoon of sake (or cooking wine) and stir-fry. This helps to eliminate any fishy odor.
Step 7
Once the octopus releases its juices and starts to firm up, add the rehydrated seaweed and 1 tablespoon of soup soy sauce. Stir-fry until the seaweed turns a vibrant green. This step enhances the seaweed’s flavor.
Step 8
Pour 7 cups (approx. 1.4L) of water into the pot with the octopus and seaweed. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 40 minutes, allowing the seaweed to become tender.
Step 9
After 40 minutes, stir in 1 tablespoon of anchovy extract and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Continue to simmer over medium heat for another 10 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface for a clearer broth. Finally, taste and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed.
Step 10
Since octopus can be salty on its own, it’s best to adjust the final seasoning of the soup right at the end, after all the ingredients are cooked.
Step 11
A steaming bowl of this refreshing octopus seaweed soup will feel incredibly comforting and soothing.
Step 12
Enjoy the delightful texture of the chewy octopus and the soft seaweed. The addition of octopus makes the broth wonderfully deep and refreshing – truly exceptional!
Step 13
Fuel your day with this nourishing octopus seaweed soup, said to invigorate even the weariest soul! Have a day full of energy! 😀
