Hearty & Refreshing Radish Soup (Muguk) with Autumn Radish
Hearty & Refreshing Radish Soup (Muguk) with Autumn Radish
A Deeply Flavorful and Refreshing Radish Soup Made with Autumn Radish, Better Than Ginseng!
Experience the natural sweetness of seasonal autumn radish in this wonderfully refreshing radish soup. Perfect for a comforting meal!
Main Ingredients- 1/8 piece Autumn Radish (approx. 300g)
- A small bunch of Green Onion (approx. 1/4 stalk)
- 1 Tbsp Perilla Oil (Deul-gireum)
- 0.5 Tbsp Anchovy Fish Sauce (Myeolchi Aekjeot)
- 0.5 Tbsp Soy Sauce or ‘Yeondu’ (a Korean seasoning liquid, optional)
- 0.5 tsp Minced Garlic (optional)
- Salt to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly wash the radish. Then, slice it into bite-sized pieces, about 1-1.5cm thick. For a deeper flavor, consider cutting it into slightly irregular, ‘pijeo’ shapes rather than perfect squares. The size is up to your preference.
Step 2
Heat 1 tablespoon of perilla oil in a pot or wok over medium-low heat. Add the prepared radish and stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes slightly translucent. This step is crucial for drawing out the radish’s natural sweetness and softening it, leading to a richer soup base. Be careful not to burn it.
Step 3
Once the radish is well-fried, pour in 3 cups (about 600ml) of anchovy-kelp broth or rice water. Using anchovy-kelp broth will add more umami, while rice water can make the soup smoother and more refreshing. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-high and simmer for about 10 minutes until the radish is tender.
Step 4
When the radish is tender, season the soup with 0.5 tablespoon of anchovy fish sauce and 0.5 tablespoon of soy sauce or ‘Yeondu’. Anchovy fish sauce provides a nice savory depth, while soy sauce or ‘Yeondu’ can enhance the soup’s color. Start with less seasoning and adjust with salt to your personal taste. (Optionally, you can add 0.5 tsp of minced garlic at this stage).
Step 5
Finally, add a tablespoon or so of finely chopped green onions and let it simmer for another minute. This adds a wonderful aromatic finish. With simple ingredients and an easy process, anyone can make this delicious radish soup!
Step 6
The soup, simmered after stir-frying the radish in perilla oil, boasts a subtle sweetness and a wonderfully deep, savory flavor. It’s a truly addictive soup that makes you want to finish your rice bowl completely. You must try making it!
