Yukgaejang, Where Spice and Tradition Meet Perfectly
Yukgaejang (Spicy Beef Soup) it’s like a warm hug from Korea. This dish, it’s something else. Imagine this thinly sliced beef, colorful veggies, and these noodles, oh man, all swimming in this broth like a party in your mouth. You crave it when the weather turns chilly, or you need a pick-me-up. And let me tell you about the flavor – it’s like a dance between spicy, sweet, and savory. You’ve got your gochujang, gochugaru, garlic, and soy sauce – all coming together for this taste explosion. You can’t stop slurping from the tender beef to crunchy veggies and noodles,
Now, Yukgaejang is not just a soup but an experience. You can have it on its own, with a side of steamed rice, or as part of a prominent Korean feast. Either way, it’s going to leave a mark. Once you try it, you’ll never forget it.
Recipe
Prepare to embark on a flavorful journey with Yukgaejang (Spicy Beef Soup), a sensation in Korean cuisine. This robust dish features tender beef slices, colorful vegetables, and chewy noodles, all dipped in a tantalizingly spicy and fragrant broth. With its bold flavors and heartwarming appeal, Yukgaejang holds a special place as a beloved comfort food, delighting palates and warming hearts across Korea and beyond.
Ingredients
Execution
01
Prepare the Beef: If the beef slices are large, cut them into thin strips. Rinse the beef under cold water to remove any excess blood.
02
Boil the Beef: Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the sliced beef and let it boil for about 5 minutes to remove any impurities. Drain and rinse the meat under cold water.
03
Make the Broth: In the same pot, add the boiled beef back in, along with minced garlic, sliced onion, gochujang, soy sauce, and gochujang. Stir to combine.
04
Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.
05
Add Vegetables: Add fernbrake (if using), sliced mushrooms, bean sprouts, and soaked dried shiitake mushrooms (if using) to the pot. Let the soup simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
06
Season to Taste: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
07
Add Noodles: Just before serving, add the cooked Korean glass noodles to the pot and stir to combine. Let them heat through for a couple of minutes.
08
Serve: Dip the hot yukgaejang into bowls. Garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Additional Tips
- Adjust the soup’s spiciness by varying the amount of gochujang and gochujang according to your preference.
- Add vegetables like spinach or zucchini to the soup for additional flavor and nutrients.