Authentic Chicken Soup (Dak Gomtang)
An Extremely Easy and Nourishing Chicken Soup Recipe
Summer days call for a revitalizing meal! Enjoy a hearty and fortifying traditional Korean chicken soup for your family at an incredibly low cost. This recipe promises a deeply flavorful broth and tender chicken, perfect for beating the heat.
Ingredients
- 1 whole fresh chicken (approx. 1kg)
- 1 large onion
- 3 dried ginseng roots
- 5 dried jujube dates
- 1 large leek
- 10 whole garlic cloves
Seasoning & Sauce
- 2 Tbsp coarse salt
- 3 Tbsp cooking wine (Mirin or Cheongju)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 2 Tbsp coarse salt
- 3 Tbsp cooking wine (Mirin or Cheongju)
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Thoroughly wash the fresh chicken under cold running water. Carefully trim away any excess fatty deposits or giblets inside the cavity with kitchen scissors; this will ensure a clearer and less greasy broth. Place the prepared chicken in a large pot. Add the whole garlic cloves, dried ginseng roots, dried jujube dates, a pinch of black pepper, 2 tablespoons of coarse salt, and the onion, which has been cut in half. Pour in enough water to completely submerge the chicken. Add the 3 tablespoons of cooking wine to help tenderize the meat and reduce any gamey odors. Cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat for 20 minutes. Then, reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for another 40 minutes. This slow simmering process is key to developing a rich, clear, and deeply flavorful broth. (The resulting broth is truly exceptional!)
Step 2
Let’s prepare a special dipping sauce to enjoy with the tender chicken! Finely slice the leek. In a small bowl, combine the sliced leek, 1 tablespoon of gochujang (Korean chili paste), 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Mix well to create a flavorful leek and gochujang sauce. Alternatively, you can simply enjoy the chicken with coarse salt for a more traditional taste. Personally, I love this unique sauce as it adds a wonderful zest that complements the chicken beautifully.
Step 3
Carefully remove the well-cooked chicken from the pot and let it cool slightly. It’s best to let it cool down to a manageable temperature before handling, to prevent the delicate meat from falling apart.
Step 4
Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, put on some gloves and gently debone the chicken, separating the meat from the bones. The succulent, tender chicken meat is delicious when dipped into the sweet and spicy leek and gochujang sauce you made earlier. It’s perfect as a side dish or even as a light meal on its own!
Step 5
Finally, ladle the hot, aromatic chicken broth into a beautiful serving bowl. Generously top with more fresh sliced leek for a beautiful presentation and added freshness. This completes your nourishing Dak Gomtang! Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with a little more salt, if desired, to your personal preference.
