Hearty Bossam Gukbap (Pork Belly Soup) Made Easy at Home
Hearty Bossam Gukbap (Pork Belly Soup) Made Easy at Home
Boost your energy with a delicious bowl of Bossam Gukbap ♥
Hello everyone, this is Seulbi! Here’s a super easy recipe for Bossam Gukbap, also known as Dwaeji Gukbap (Pork Soup)! You won’t believe how simple it is to make this delicious soup at home. I used pork hind leg and made about 2 generous servings for around 8,000 KRW. If you have a smaller appetite, this is enough for 3 servings! We went for the ‘special’ size, two bowls each LOL. Please follow and save this recipe! ♥
Soup Base Ingredients- Pork belly or hind leg (for boiling) 2 geun (approx. 1.2kg)
- Onions 1.5
- Whole garlic cloves 20
- Green onions 2-3 stalks
- Salt 1/2 Tbsp (for boiling pork)
- Chives, a generous amount
- Whole peppercorns 1 Tbsp
- Ginger 2-3 slices
- Water 3.6L
Seasoning Sauce- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Salt 1/3 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin or Cheongju) 2 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 2 Tbsp
- Soup soy sauce 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Salt 1/3 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin or Cheongju) 2 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 2 Tbsp
- Soup soy sauce 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, score the pork for boiling. This helps the meat become more tender and absorb flavors better. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the scored pork, and blanch for about 3 minutes to remove any impurities. (Tip: For juicier meat, it’s often recommended to boil the pork whole and slice it after cooking rather than slicing it beforehand.)
Step 2
Discard the blanching water and return the pork to the pot. Now, add enough fresh water to generously cover the pork. The recipe calls for 3.6L, but ensure there’s plenty of water to cook the pork thoroughly. (Tip: Aim for about 3 times the volume of water to the pork.)
Step 3
Prepare the aromatics for simmering with the pork. Add 1.5 onions, roughly chopped. The onions will add a natural sweetness to the broth.
Step 4
Add 20 whole garlic cloves. Garlic is essential for removing any porky odors and adding depth of flavor.
Step 5
Include 2-3 green onions, cut into large sections. They contribute a refreshing taste to the broth.
Step 6
Add 1 Tbsp of whole peppercorns to help eliminate gamey smells and add a subtle spice.
Step 7
Finally, add 1/2 Tbsp of salt. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the pork is very tender.
Step 8
While the pork is simmering, let’s prepare the seasoning sauce. Start by adding 1 Tbsp of minced garlic.
Step 9
Add 1/3 Tbsp of salt for seasoning.
Step 10
Stir in 2 Tbsp of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) for a bit of heat and color.
Step 11
Add 2 Tbsp of cooking wine (like Mirin or Cheongju) to help tenderize the meat and add a pleasant aroma.
Step 12
Finally, add 1 Tbsp of soup soy sauce for a deeper savory flavor. Mix everything well until combined to create a delicious seasoning sauce.
Step 13
Once the pork is tender, turn off the heat and let it rest in the broth for 5-10 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat incredibly moist and tender. Think of it as giving the hardworking pork a little break!
Step 14
Look at how beautifully cooked the pork is! It looks so appetizing.
Step 15
Now, let’s assemble the Bossam Gukbap. You can enjoy it by mixing the rice directly into the soup, but today we’ll serve it ‘ddare-gukbap’ style (separate soup and rice) with a generous portion of sliced pork. Since we’re making this at home, let’s go all out with a portion even bigger than the ‘special’ size! That’s the perk of homemade food, isn’t it?
Step 16
Ladle the rich, milky broth generously over the sliced pork in the bowl. Remove and discard the onions and green onions that have infused their flavor into the broth. (Tip: For an even clearer broth, you can strain it through a fine-mesh sieve.)
Step 17
Top with freshly chopped chives. The fragrant chives add a wonderful freshness and complement the rich soup beautifully.
Step 18
Finally, add a spoonful of the prepared seasoning sauce to your liking, and your ultimate homemade Bossam Gukbap is ready to be enjoyed! Enjoy your delicious meal!
