Savory and Soft Tofu Radish Soup with Perilla Seeds
Savory and Soft Tofu Radish Soup with Perilla Seeds
Simple Tofu Radish Soup for a Hearty Breakfast – Add Perilla Seeds for Extra Richness!
Soft and savory, it’s perfect for a morning soup. A simple recipe for Tofu Radish Soup.
Ingredients- 300g Daikon radish (approx. 1/4 of a medium radish)
- 1/2 block (300g) Firm tofu
- 2 Tbsp Ground perilla seeds (deulkkae-garu)
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1/2 stalk Scallion
- 2 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp Soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang)
- Pinch of salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
For a deeper broth flavor, it’s best to start by simmering a stock using dried anchovies and kelp. However, to keep this recipe simple, we’ll proceed without a separate stock-making step. If you have dried kelp, you can soak it in water beforehand and use the infused water.
Step 2
Wash the radish thoroughly, peel it, and then slice it into approximately 3cm pieces, about 0.5cm thick. This ‘nabak-sseolgi’ (thin slicing) style ensures the radish becomes tender and delicious when cooked.
Step 3
Cut the tofu into approximately 1.5cm cubes. Cubing the tofu ensures it holds its shape well during cooking and doesn’t break apart.
Step 4
Slice the scallion stalk in half diagonally. This will add a fresh aroma to the soup.
Step 5
Heat 2 tablespoons of sesame oil in a pot or wok over medium heat. Add the sliced radish and sauté for about 1 minute. Sautéing the radish beforehand enhances its natural sweetness and deepens the soup’s flavor.
Step 6
Pour in the kelp-infused water (or regular water) into the pot with the sautéed radish and bring it to a boil over high heat. You can remove the kelp before serving, or leave it in – it adds a wonderful umami flavor to the broth.
Step 7
Once the water boils, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the radish becomes translucent and tender. You’ll notice the broth turning milky white and developing a rich, savory aroma from the radish. Even at this stage, you have a delicious and refreshing radish soup.
Step 8
When the radish is tender, gently add the cubed tofu to the pot. The tofu will soften and absorb the flavors of the broth, adding a delightful creamy texture.
Step 9
Add 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic and 2 tablespoons of soup soy sauce to season. If you don’t have soup soy sauce, regular soy sauce is a fine substitute. Taste the broth and adjust with a pinch of salt if needed, according to your preference.
Step 10
Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes after adding the tofu, then stir in 2 tablespoons of ground perilla seeds. The perilla seeds will thicken the soup slightly and impart a wonderfully nutty, rich flavor.
Step 11
Finally, add the diagonally sliced scallions and stir gently. Your delicious Tofu Radish Soup is ready!
Step 12
The natural sweetness of the radish and the refreshing broth create a perfectly balanced flavor. With the addition of savory perilla seeds, the soup becomes even more aromatic and comforting. The soft tofu soaks up the subtly sweet broth, making each bite incredibly satisfying.
Step 13
This soup is simple to make with basic ingredients and minimal time, yet it offers a high level of satisfaction and is wonderfully filling, especially for breakfast. It’s the kind of soup that makes you want to finish every last drop!
