Clear and Refreshing Bean Sprout Soup
Clear and Refreshing Bean Sprout Soup
Crispy Texture and Clear Broth Perfection! Easy Homemade Bean Sprout Soup Recipe
A clear bean sprout soup is a true balm for the soul, offering comfort and ease any time you enjoy it. It’s perfect after a rich meal, as a hangover cure, or even served chilled like a cold soup in the summer for a delightful treat. This soup pairs wonderfully with everything! Today, I’ll share my secret to making this budget-friendly bean sprout soup with a satisfying crunch and a clean, refreshing broth!
Main Ingredients- 300g bean sprouts
- 30g green onion
Anchovy & Kelp Broth- 4g dried kelp
- 2 Tbsp dried anchovy powder
- 1.2 liters water
Seasoning- 1 Tbsp mirin
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp salted shrimp liquid
- 4g dried kelp
- 2 Tbsp dried anchovy powder
- 1.2 liters water
Seasoning- 1 Tbsp mirin
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp salted shrimp liquid
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Gently wipe the dried kelp with a damp cloth to remove any dust or impurities. Then, soak it in cold water for at least 10 minutes to rehydrate. This step helps to draw out the kelp’s umami flavor.
Step 2
Lightly crush the 2 cloves of garlic by pressing down on them with the side of a knife. If this is difficult, you can chop them into two or three pieces. Crushing the garlic helps release its aroma into the soup.
Step 3
Separate the white and green parts of the green onion. Finely chop the white parts for the soup base and thinly julienne the green parts for garnish. This separation ensures a clean broth and an attractive presentation.
Step 4
Prepare the anchovy powder and the rehydrated kelp water for making the broth. Using anchovy powder significantly shortens the broth-making time, making it very convenient.
Step 5
In a pot, combine the rehydrated kelp with its soaking water, 1.2 liters of fresh water, and 2 tablespoons of anchovy powder. Begin heating over high heat.
Step 6
As soon as the water starts to boil and small bubbles appear, immediately remove the kelp. Boiling kelp for too long can result in a bitter taste.
Step 7
After removing the kelp, reduce the heat to medium-low, keep the lid off, and simmer for about 5 minutes. This allows the anchovy flavor to fully infuse into the broth, resulting in a clear and deep-flavored stock.
Step 8
For an even clearer soup, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or paper towels. This removes any remaining particles or anchovy powder, enhancing the soup’s clarity.
Step 9
Now, let’s start making the bean sprout soup! Bring the strained broth back to a rolling boil over high heat. Once it begins to boil, add 1 tablespoon of mirin to eliminate any fishy odors and enhance the umami.
Step 10
Add the bean sprouts, crushed garlic, and the chopped white parts of the green onion once the broth is boiling. Lower the heat to medium once the bean sprouts are in. When it boils again, add 1 tablespoon of salted shrimp liquid for seasoning. The salted shrimp liquid adds both savory depth and a refreshing taste.
Step 11
Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang). Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed. To maintain a clear broth color, it’s best to add soy sauce for soup sparingly at first and use salt for further adjustments.
Step 12
You can either remove the crushed garlic towards the end of cooking or leave it in. Leaving it in will give the soup a stronger garlic flavor, while removing it results in a cleaner taste.
Step 13
Continue to simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until the bean sprouts are cooked and still slightly crisp. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become mushy. Your refreshing and delicious bean sprout soup is now complete!
Step 14
Pro Tip! When serving, try ladling out the solid ingredients (bean sprouts, green onions, etc.) with chopsticks or a ladle first, and then pour the broth. This makes for a neater and easier serving process.
Step 15
Feel free to customize your soup by adding ingredients like a small amount of finely chopped chili pepper for a bit of heat, or clam meat and beef for a richer flavor. Enjoy your homemade soup!
