Clear Pollack and Radish Soup (Baek Jong-won Style)
Clear Pollack and Radish Soup (Baek Jong-won Style)
[Easy Recipe] How to Make Refreshing Baek Jong-won Pollack Soup to Soothe Your Stomach
This recipe makes a clear and refreshing Pollack soup, perfect for a hearty breakfast or as a hangover cure. Using simple ingredients, you can achieve a deep, savory flavor, just like Baek Jong-won’s style.
Main Ingredients- Dried Pollack Strips (Buk-eochae) 30g (about 1 handful)
- Korean Radish (Mu) 200g (about 1/4 of a small radish)
- Firm Tofu 1/3 block
- Scallion (Green Onion) 1/2 stalk
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
1. First, soak the dried pollack strips in cold water for about 5 minutes until softened. Gently squeeze out excess water, then roll them up like a sushi roll and cut into 5cm lengths. (Tip: Soaking for too long can dilute the soup’s flavor.)
Step 2
2. Wash and peel the Korean radish, then slice it thinly into 0.5cm thick pieces. Cutting them thinly ensures they cook through quickly and evenly.
Step 3
3. Heat 2 Tbsp of sesame oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the softened pollack strips and stir-fry for about 1 minute to remove any fishy smell and enhance their nutty flavor. Then, add the thinly sliced radish and sauté for another 2-3 minutes until the radish turns slightly translucent.
Step 4
4. Pour 5 cups (1,000ml) of water into the pot with the sautéed ingredients. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add minced garlic (if using), 1 Tbsp of salted shrimp, and 1 Tbsp of fish sauce. Stir well to combine and season the soup. (Tip: Using salted shrimp for seasoning adds a deeper, more refreshing flavor to the broth.)
Step 5
5. Dice the firm tofu into 1.5cm cubes and add it to the pot. Skim off any foam or scum that rises to the surface with a spoon or ladle; this will make the broth clearer and cleaner. Let the soup simmer over medium-low heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the radish is tender.
Step 6
6. Once the radish is sufficiently cooked, slowly drizzle the beaten egg into the simmering soup along the edges of the pot. Let the egg set without stirring, then once it’s cooked, add the chopped scallions and a pinch of black pepper.
Step 7
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed by adding more salt, salted shrimp, or fish sauce. Simmer for another minute to allow the flavors to meld, and your delicious and refreshing Pollack soup will be ready!
