Clear Radish Soup (Muguk): A Comforting Winter Delight
Experience the Refreshing Taste of Korean Radish Soup, Perfect for Winter
This delicious and simple Korean radish soup, known as Muguk, delivers an exceptionally flavorful experience using everyday ingredients. It’s a wonderfully comforting dish, especially cherished during the colder months.
Ingredients
- 1 L water
- 8-10 dried anchovies (for broth)
- 1/3 Korean radish (about 200g)
- 2 Tbsp perilla oil (deulgireum)
- 2/3 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang)
- 2/3 Tbsp salt
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 stalk green onion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing a clear and savory anchovy broth. In a pot, combine 1 L of water with 8-10 dried anchovies. Bring to a boil over medium heat and simmer for 10 minutes to extract the flavor. Remove the anchovies, reserving the clean broth.
Step 2
Wash the Korean radish, peel it, and then julienne it into thin slices, about 0.3 cm thick. Cutting the radish thinly ensures it cooks tenderly and breaks down slightly, enriching the soup’s flavor. Aim for a thickness similar to what you’d use for making radish kimchi (mu-saengchae).
Step 3
Heat a pot over medium-low heat and add 2 Tbsp of perilla oil. Add the julienned radish and stir-fry. Don’t worry if the radish releases water; continue to sauté until the radish becomes translucent and tender. The natural moisture released from the radish contributes significantly to the soup’s delicious base.
Step 4
Once the radish is translucent and well-fried, add 2 Tbsp of soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang) and continue to stir-fry together for about 1 minute. This step allows the soy sauce to subtly flavor the radish.
Step 5
Pour the prepared anchovy broth into the pot with the stir-fried radish, and add 2/3 Tbsp of minced garlic. Simmer until the radish is tender. Once the radish is cooked through, add the chopped green onion. For a final touch of freshness, sprinkle a pinch of black pepper. Be mindful not to add too much pepper, as it can overpower the delicate flavors. This clear radish soup is wonderfully warming and pairs perfectly with rice, or as a delightful accompaniment to bibimbap and bibim-guksu.
