Clear and Refreshing Winter Radish Soup (Mu Guk)
Clear and Refreshing Winter Radish Soup (Mu Guk)
Simple yet Flavorful: Making Clear Radish Soup for a Quick Breakfast
There’s an old saying that winter radishes are better than ginseng, and it’s true that radishes are wonderfully sweet and flavorful this season. Radishes are perfect for creating a refreshing broth and work beautifully as a base for clear soups. Moreover, radishes are packed with beneficial compounds like diastase and amylase, which aid digestion. They are also known for their properties that help alleviate hangovers and soothe the respiratory system. On busy mornings, you can quickly whip up this refreshing and clear radish soup to nourish your body.
Main Ingredients- 150g Korean radish (about 1.5cm thick slices)
- 1/3 stalk green onion (mostly white parts, thinly sliced)
- 1 Korean chili pepper (seeds removed, thinly sliced, optional)
- 800ml water (approx. 4 cups)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
Seasoning & Broth- 1 Tbsp salted shrimp (including the brine)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (or fish sauce)
- 1 anchovy dashi teabag (or commercial broth)
- Salt to taste (for final seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp salted shrimp (including the brine)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (or fish sauce)
- 1 anchovy dashi teabag (or commercial broth)
- Salt to taste (for final seasoning)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel the Korean radish and slice it into thin, julienne strips about 0.5cm thick. Thinly slice the white parts of the green onion and the Korean chili pepper (if using, after removing the seeds). You can omit the chili pepper if you prefer less heat.
Step 2
In a pot, combine 800ml of water and the anchovy dashi teabag. Add the julienned radish along with the water and teabag to save cooking time. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once the radish turns translucent and becomes tender, remove the teabag.
Step 3
Season the soup primarily with the salted shrimp (including its brine) and soy sauce for soup to add a savory depth. Seasoning solely with salt from the start might result in a less vibrant flavor. After adding the salted shrimp and soy sauce, adjust the taste with salt as needed.
Step 4
Winter radishes are naturally sweet, so add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic to enhance the deep flavor. Garlic will significantly enrich the soup’s aroma. At this stage, the natural sweetness of the radish itself will already create a delicious soup.
Step 5
Once the seasoning is balanced, add the sliced green onions and Korean chili peppers. Let the soup simmer for another minute or two. Adding the fresh vegetables will impart a cleaner flavor to the broth. Turn off the heat immediately after simmering.
Step 6
Your clear and refreshing radish soup is ready! It’s the perfect, light yet satisfying soup for busy mornings.
Step 7
Although incredibly easy and quick to make, this clear radish soup offers a surprisingly rich flavor. Especially on chilly days like these, a warm bowl will fill you with comfort. The natural sweetness of the radish combined with a hint of spice (from the chili pepper) will warm you from the inside out. It’s also fantastic for enjoying with a bowl of rice!
