Clear and Refreshing Beef and Radish Soup (So-gogi Mu-guk)
Simply Delicious Beef and Radish Soup, Loved by the Whole Family
Introducing a recipe for Beef and Radish Soup that boasts a clear, refreshing taste and harmonious blend of rich broth and crisp radish. This soup is perfect as a hangover remedy or a hearty meal, offering a wonderfully clean and satisfying flavor.
Main Ingredients
- Beef for soup (brisket or sirloin for bulgogi) 450g
- Daikon radish 550g
- Onion 1 (used instead of green onion)
- Dried anchovies (medium size) 5 (intestines removed)
- Green chili pepper 1 (optional)
- Water 2L
Seasonings and Flavorings
- Soup soy sauce (Guk-ganjang) 3 Tbsp (1.5 Tbsp for radish, 1.5 Tbsp for beef marinade)
- Fish sauce (Myeolchi-aekjeot) 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1.5 Tbsp
- Black pepper to taste
- Soup soy sauce (Guk-ganjang) 3 Tbsp (1.5 Tbsp for radish, 1.5 Tbsp for beef marinade)
- Fish sauce (Myeolchi-aekjeot) 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1.5 Tbsp
- Black pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients needed for the recipe. For the beef, using sirloin for bulgogi instead of brisket for soup will make it more tender and delicious. We’ll use an onion instead of green onion to enhance the soup’s savory depth.
Step 2
Wash the radish thoroughly and slice it thinly to about 0.2cm thickness. Place the sliced radish in a bowl, add 1.5 Tbsp of soup soy sauce, toss gently to coat, and let it marinate for 10 to 15 minutes. This step helps the radish absorb flavor and become tastier.
Step 3
Rinse the beef lightly under cold water to remove any blood. Briefly blanch the beef in boiling water, just enough to cook the surface, then immediately remove it. This technique prevents unnecessary blood and gamey flavors from entering the broth, ensuring a clear taste.
Step 4
Cut the blanched beef into bite-sized pieces. Discard the blood-infused water and any remaining water in the pot, then rinse the pot clean. Rinsing the pot is crucial to maintain a clear, non-cloudy broth.
Step 5
Thinly slice the onion. Remove the head and intestines from the dried anchovies; this is key to achieving a refreshing broth flavor without any fishiness. If you are sensitive to the anchovy’s fishy taste, you can lightly toast them in a dry pan before use to remove any off-flavors.
Step 6
In the cleaned pot, add 1.6 liters of water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add all the marinated radish. Cook over high heat, uncovered, for about 10 minutes, until the radish becomes translucent and tender.
Step 7
After about 10 minutes, add an additional 400ml of water and the prepared anchovies. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer for another 20 minutes to allow the anchovy flavor to fully infuse the broth. Feel free to adjust the total amount of water according to your preference; a little more water can be added for a lighter soup.
Step 8
In a separate bowl, combine the blanched and sliced beef with 2 Tbsp of fish sauce, 1.5 Tbsp of minced garlic, and about 6 shakes of black pepper. Add the halved green chili pepper (seeds removed, optional) and mix everything well to marinate the beef. If you prefer less spice or are cooking for children, omit the green chili pepper.
Step 9
After the broth has been boiling and the anchovies have infused their flavor (you can remove the anchovies, or leave them in if you prefer), add the marinated beef and sliced onion to the pot.
Step 10
Continue to simmer until the beef and onion are cooked through. If the soup needs more seasoning, adjust with soup soy sauce or salt at the end. The Beef and Radish Soup is best enjoyed hot, right after it’s finished cooking.
Step 11
The beef in this soup is tender and flavorful even without prolonged simmering. It has a pleasant chewiness and absorbs the broth beautifully, making it incredibly rich. Although you might worry about the lean meat being dry, it offers a surprisingly tender texture.
Step 12
This prepared Beef and Radish Soup features the delightful, firm yet tender texture of the well-cooked radish, along with a wonderfully smooth finish. The flavors are perfectly balanced, making it an excellent soup for the entire family to enjoy.
