Hearty and Flavorful Dak-Kalguksu (Chicken Noodle Soup)
Hearty and Flavorful Dak-Kalguksu (Chicken Noodle Soup)
Perfect for Chilly Days: Baek Jong-won’s Delicious Chicken Kalguksu Recipe
Tired of the same old meals every day? How about a comforting bowl of Dak-Kalguksu, a hearty Korean chicken noodle soup, that the whole family will love? Especially on a crisp, cool day, this dish is incredibly satisfying and warming. Let me guide you through creating this deeply flavorful soup with simple ingredients!
Chicken & Ingredients Prep- 1 whole chicken for stir-frying
- 1 cup milk (for removing chicken odor)
- 1 onion (fist-sized)
- 3 potatoes
- 1 handful oyster mushrooms (or to taste)
- 2 stalks of green onion
- 1 package fresh kalguksu noodles
- 3 Tbsp soup soy sauce (Guk-ganjang)
- 1/2 Tbsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 generous Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
Spicy Seasoning Paste- Minced green onion from 1 stalk
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 8 Tbsp soy sauce (Ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (Gochugaru)
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- Minced green onion from 1 stalk
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 8 Tbsp soy sauce (Ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (Gochugaru)
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare one whole chicken suitable for stir-frying.
Step 2
To effectively remove any gamey odor from the chicken, soak it in milk for about 15-20 minutes. If you’re short on time, even 5-10 minutes will help. (I soaked it thoroughly as it was from the day before.)
Step 3
While the chicken is soaking, peel and thinly slice the onion.
Step 4
Peel the potatoes and slice them into thin strips, similar in thickness to the onions. Avoid slicing them too thinly, as they might break apart during cooking.
Step 5
I’m using leftover oyster mushrooms. You can substitute them with king oyster mushrooms or other types, or omit them entirely if you prefer. Prepare them by cleaning and trimming if necessary.
Step 6
First, thinly slice two stalks of green onion diagonally; these will be added to the soup for a fresh flavor. Finely mince the remaining one stalk of green onion separately for the seasoning paste.
Step 7
After the milk soak, rinse the chicken thoroughly under cold running water to remove any milk residue. Drain the chicken well. Place the chicken in a pan, skin-side down, and drizzle about two rounds of cooking oil over it, coating the pan.
Step 8
Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir-fry the chicken as if you’re searing it. You’ll notice the chicken’s natural fat starting to render out. This fat will add a rich depth to the broth.
Step 9
While the chicken is cooking, combine the finely minced green onion and garlic in a small bowl. Add the soy sauce, red pepper flakes, sugar, and sesame oil, then mix well to create the delicious seasoning paste.
Step 10
Once the chicken is nicely browned on one side, flip it over and cook the other side evenly. Be mindful of the heat to prevent burning.
Step 11
When both sides of the chicken are golden brown and cooked, add the sliced onions to the pan and stir-fry them briefly with the chicken to release their aroma.
Step 12
Pour enough water into the pot to cover the chicken completely. Skim off any foam or scum that rises to the surface as it boils; this will ensure a clean and clear broth.
Step 13
Add the soup soy sauce and salt to season the broth. Bring it to a rolling boil over high heat to develop the flavors.
Step 14
Once the broth starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium and add the prepared potatoes and mushrooms. The vegetables will cook and enrich the soup’s flavor and texture.
Step 15
Add the generous tablespoon of minced garlic for a pungent and refreshing taste.
Step 16
Add the diagonally sliced green onions and let them simmer in the broth. Their sweetness and aroma will further enhance the soup.
Step 17
Check if the potatoes are tender. Once they are, add the fresh kalguksu noodles. Gently loosen the noodles as they cook to prevent them from sticking together.
Step 18
Almost done! Taste the broth and add more salt if needed to reach your desired seasoning. Serve the Dak-Kalguksu with the prepared seasoning paste on the side to mix in, or stir some directly into the soup for an extra spicy kick. Enjoy your delicious, hot bowl!
