The Ultimate Health Tonic Soup: Rich and Refreshing Hae-shin-tang
Summer’s Best Health Booster: Preparing Hae-shin-tang in Advance!
Even though the first day of summer (Chobok) is still a month away, the intense heat already feels like it’s here, so I decided to give myself a boost of energy. This year, I made Hae-shin-tang with an abundance of seafood. Curious about the secret to its rich, deep broth? Here’s how to make this nourishing soup!
Main Ingredients- 1 whole chicken (preferably a free-range or non-brined chicken)
- 2 live octopuses (freshly sourced)
- 5 abalones (medium to large size)
- 3-5 shrimp (adjust to your preference)
- 2/3 cup glutinous rice (soaked for at least 30 minutes)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s create the base for our delicious Hae-shin-tang: the broth. In 3 liters of water, add the samgyetang tea bag (or your chosen medicinal herbs) and 3-5 whole garlic cloves. Simmer gently over medium heat until a rich, concentrated broth is extracted, about 20-30 minutes.
Step 2
Properly preparing the chicken is key. Carefully trim away the fatty vent part at the rear of the chicken and the tips of the wings. This step helps to create a cleaner-tasting broth.
Step 3
Now, stuff the cleaned chicken cavity with the 2/3 cup of glutinous rice that has been soaked for at least 30 minutes. To prevent the rice from spilling out, insert 3-5 whole garlic cloves into the chicken’s opening, and then secure the legs by crossing them and tucking them under, or using skewers.
Step 4
Let’s meticulously clean the seafood. For the abalones, gently detach the meat from the shell. Using a scrub brush, thoroughly clean both the inside of the shell and the meat, ensuring all grit is removed. Rinse the shrimp under cold water until clean.
Step 5
To prepare the fresh octopus cleanly, you need to remove the innards and ink sac. Reach inside the head, turn it inside out, and carefully remove the innards. Next, add 2 tablespoons of flour to the octopus and rub it vigorously. This process removes the slimy mucus, resulting in a firmer, cleaner texture. Rinse thoroughly and drain.
Step 6
Once the broth has reached a rich color, carefully place the prepared chicken into the pot. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer for about 40 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender. Turning the chicken halfway through will ensure even cooking.
Step 7
When the chicken is almost fully cooked, add the prepared abalones and shrimp to the pot and let them simmer briefly. Finally, add the octopus. Cook for another 5 minutes, or until the octopus turns a vibrant red and is nicely tender. Your nourishing Hae-shin-tang is now complete! Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious, revitalizing soup.
