Nutritious Spinach and Soybean Paste Stew (Sigeumchi Doenjang Guk)
How to Make Delicious Spinach Doenjang Guk: A Hearty Korean Soup Recipe
This recipe for Spinach Doenjang Guk is packed with fresh spinach, fragrant shiitake mushrooms, and soft tofu, making it a nutritious and satisfying soup. Its deep, savory broth is perfect for a comforting meal at home. Easy to prepare, this flavorful soup is sure to become a family favorite, perfect for enjoying with a bowl of rice!
Main Ingredients
- 800ml Anchovy and Kelp Broth (richly brewed)
- 150g Frozen Spinach (or fresh spinach)
- 150g Soft Tofu (cubed)
- 2 Shiitake Mushrooms (thinly sliced)
- 2.5 Tbsp Doenjang (Korean soybean paste, or to taste)
- 2 Tbsp Yeondu (Korean savory seasoning, optional – can substitute with Dashida or soy sauce)
- 1/4 Scallion (chopped, for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Pour 800ml of richly brewed anchovy and kelp broth into a pot and bring to a boil over high heat. A flavorful broth is the foundation of this soup, so prepare it carefully.
Step 2
Using a fine-mesh sieve or strainer, gently dissolve 2.5 Tbsp of doenjang (soybean paste) into the broth. This ensures the paste mixes smoothly without clumps, resulting in a cleaner taste.
Step 3
Add 2 Tbsp of Yeondu to enhance the savory depth and umami of the soup. If Yeondu is unavailable, a pinch of Dashida or a dash of soy sauce can be used as a substitute. Add this once the broth begins to boil.
Step 4
Once the broth is at a rolling boil, carefully add the 2 thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms and the 150g of cubed soft tofu. Allow the mushrooms’ aroma and the tofu’s tenderness to infuse into the broth.
Step 5
Add the 150g of frozen spinach and gently separate the leaves. If using fresh spinach, wash it thoroughly and cut into bite-sized pieces before adding. Spinach cooks quickly and can become mushy if overcooked, so it’s best added towards the end.
Step 6
Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 2 minutes. This allows the spinach to cook through gently and the flavors of all ingredients to meld beautifully into the broth. Be careful not to overcook!
Step 7
Finally, garnish with the chopped scallion and simmer for just another moment until the soup is ready. Turning off the heat and letting it rest briefly will further deepen the flavors.
Step 8
Your warm and savory Spinach Doenjang Guk is now ready to be enjoyed! It’s absolutely perfect for adding to a bowl of rice. 🙂
