Rich and Deep Chicken Kalguksu
Making BTS J-Hope’s Favorite ‘CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP’! The Authentic Kalguksu Recipe
Inspired by the ‘CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP’ loved by global idol BTS member J-Hope, we’ve made a deeply flavorful and authentic Korean Chicken Kalguksu at home. The harmony of its clear, refreshing broth and tender chicken is simply exquisite!
Chicken Broth Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (fresh)
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 slice ginger (thumb-sized)
- 2 dried jujubes (dates)
- 3 leek roots (cleaned)
- 1 packet of stock mix (commercial)
- 2L water
- Salt to taste (for seasoning)
Seasoning Sauce (Optional, adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- Red/green chili peppers, a little (thinly sliced diagonally)
- Sesame seeds, a little (for garnish)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- Red/green chili peppers, a little (thinly sliced diagonally)
- Sesame seeds, a little (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the chicken thoroughly. First, use scissors to trim away the fatty part near the tail of the chicken and remove it. Rinse the inside and outside of the chicken cleanly under running water, then pat it dry with paper towels to reduce any gamey smell.
Step 2
Now, let’s make the chicken broth. In a deep, wide pot, add the prepared whole chicken, garlic cloves, ginger slice, stock mix packet, dried jujubes, and the cleaned leek roots. Pour in 2L of cold water, cover with a lid, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. This is a crucial step for building the broth’s base flavor.
Step 3
Once the water comes to a boil, remove the lid and reduce the heat to medium. Let it simmer gently for about 60 minutes, allowing the chicken’s flavor to fully infuse into the broth. The longer you simmer, the richer and deeper the broth will become.
Step 4
While the chicken broth is simmering, prepare the vegetables to accompany the kalguksu. Thinly slice the onion and zucchini. Heat a pan over medium heat, add a little oil, and stir-fry the sliced vegetables. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and cook just until they soften slightly. Avoid overcooking to maintain a crisp texture.
Step 5
Prepare a dipping sauce, if desired. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, mixing well. If you enjoy a bit of spice, you can add thinly sliced red or green chili peppers. Set aside some sesame seeds for garnish.
Step 6
Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the broth after simmering for 60 minutes. Once it’s cool enough to handle, separate the meat from the bones. Shred the chicken meat with your hands into bite-sized pieces. This will make the chicken extra tender.
Step 7
Now it’s time to season the chicken broth. Strain the clear broth through a sieve, discarding the solids. Return the clear broth to the pot and season with salt to your preference. A pinch of pepper can also be added for a little kick.
Step 8
Bring the seasoned chicken broth back to a boil. Add the kalguksu noodles and cook until tender, stirring occasionally to prevent them from sticking together. While the noodles are cooking, get ready the shredded chicken and the sautéed vegetables.
Step 9
Ladle the cooked kalguksu noodles into a warm serving bowl. Generously pour the hot, rich chicken broth over the noodles. Top with the hand-shredded chicken and the stir-fried vegetables. Finally, sprinkle with sesame seeds for a beautiful garnish. Your delicious Chicken Kalguksu, worthy of J-Hope’s approval, is now complete!
