Hearty and Refreshing Clam Noodle Soup (Bajirak Kalguksu)
A Deep and Refreshing Clam Noodle Soup Made with Fresh Clams
Introducing a recipe for a refreshing clam noodle soup bursting with the taste of the sea, made with a generous amount of fresh clams bought online. The chewy noodles and clean broth are simply exquisite.
Broth and Base Ingredients
- 1 Anchovy and Kelp Tea Bag
- 500g Clams (purged)
- 4 Servings Kalguksu Noodles
- 2 Liters Water (or 8 cups)
- 1 Onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 Green Onion (diagonally sliced)
- 1 Potato (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Small amount of Carrot (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1/4 Zucchini (sliced into half-moons)
- 2 handfuls Oyster Mushrooms (bottoms trimmed, torn)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
Seasoning and Flavoring
- 2 Tbsp Soup Soy Sauce (Guk-ganjang)
- 2 Tbsp Tuna Extract (or Fish Sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp MSG (optional)
- 1 Korean Chili Pepper (finely chopped, optional)
- 1 Red Chili Pepper (finely chopped, optional)
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Soup Soy Sauce (Guk-ganjang)
- 2 Tbsp Tuna Extract (or Fish Sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp MSG (optional)
- 1 Korean Chili Pepper (finely chopped, optional)
- 1 Red Chili Pepper (finely chopped, optional)
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables for the kalguksu. Thinly slice the onion, and diagonally slice the green onion. Cut the potato, carrot, and zucchini into bite-sized pieces. Trim the ends of the oyster mushrooms and tear them apart. If you prefer a spicy kick, finely chop the Korean chili pepper and red chili pepper.
Step 2
In a large pot, add 2 liters (about 8 cups) of water. Add the anchovy and kelp tea bag and 2 tablespoons of soup soy sauce to start making the broth. Adding a bit of soup soy sauce at this stage can enhance the umami of the broth.
Step 3
Once the broth begins to boil, add all the prepared vegetables except the green onion (onion, potato, carrot, zucchini, oyster mushrooms) and simmer them together. The vegetables will enrich the broth’s flavor as they cook.
Step 4
Use pre-purged clams or, if using frozen clams, rinse them under cold water to remove any impurities before preparation. Fresh clams will significantly elevate the taste of your kalguksu.
Step 5
When the vegetables are partially cooked, add 2 tablespoons of tuna extract to add depth and savoriness to the broth. You can substitute this with fish sauce if preferred.
Step 6
Once the broth is at a rolling boil, continue to simmer for about 5 minutes, then remove and discard the anchovy and kelp tea bag. Leaving it in too long can impart a bitter taste, so remove it in a timely manner.
Step 7
Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, which is key to the refreshing and savory flavor. Stir well to distribute the garlic aroma throughout the broth.
Step 8
It’s a good practice to skim off any foam that rises to the surface during boiling. This helps to keep the broth clear and clean-tasting.
Step 9
Now, add all the prepared fresh clams to the pot and boil until they open. Be careful not to overcook, as the clams can become tough if boiled for too long.
Step 10
Prepare 4 servings of kalguksu noodles. If you prefer a thicker broth, simply shake off the excess starch from the noodles before adding them. If you prefer a clear broth, rinse the noodles under cold water just before adding them to remove the starch. Adjust this step to your preference.
Step 11
Now it’s time to season the kalguksu. Use salt and MSG (optional). Start by adding about half a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of MSG, taste, and then add more salt as needed to reach your desired seasoning. Remember that clams release some saltiness, so avoid over-salting initially.
Step 12
If you prefer a thicker broth, shake off the starch from the noodles before adding them directly to the pot. Personally, I enjoy how the noodles absorb the thicker broth, so I add them after shaking off the excess starch.
Step 13
After adding the noodles, finally add the diagonally sliced green onion and the optional chopped chili peppers. Cook until the noodles are fully done. Ensure the noodles are cooked to a pleasant chewiness.
Step 14
Finally, sprinkle a pinch of black pepper, and your hearty and refreshing clam noodle soup is complete! Enjoy it while it’s hot.
