Preparation & Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Introduction:
Introducing Korean Kimchi Soup, a spicy, savory, and tangy delight which captures the authentic taste of Korea beautifully. This lusciously warm and fragrant dish, perfect for cold weather comfort food, brings international cuisine right into your kitchen.
Why Make This Recipe:
Indulge in this heartily wholesome and comforting Korean cuisine’s cornerstone. Korean Kimchi Soup is the perfect way to introduce your palate to distinctive and delicious Asian flavors.
How to Make Korean Kimchi Soup
Ingredients:
* 2 cups of well-fermented kimchi, chopped
* 1/2 pound pork belly or pork shoulder, sliced
* 1 block (14 oz) of firm tofu, cubed
* 4 cups of water or anchovy broth
* 1 tablespoon Korean red pepper paste (gochujang)
* 1 tablespoon Korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
* 1 tablespoon soy sauce
* 2 teaspoons minced garlic
* 2 green onions, chopped
* Salt to taste
Directions:
1. Cook the pork slices over medium heat until lightly browned in a large pot.
2. Add and sauté the chopped kimchi for about 5 minutes until it softens and infuses the pork.
3. Stir in the gochujang and garlic, and cook it for 2 more minutes.
4. Pour in the water or anchovy broth and bring it to a boil.
5. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes on medium-low heat for the flavors to meld together.
6. Add tofu cubes and let the soup cook gently for another 5 minutes.
7. Stir in the gochugaru, soy sauce, and season it with salt as needed.
8. Garnish with green onions before serving hot.
How to Serve Korean Kimchi Soup
Serve this comfort dish hot from the pot with a side of your choice, preferably with a bowl of steamed rice or noodles to enhance the fabulous spicy and tangy flavors.
How to Store Korean Kimchi Soup
Store the leftover soup in an airtight container in your refrigerator. It can last up to 3-4 days. You can reheat it on the stove or in the microwave prior to serving.
Tips to Make Korean Kimchi Soup
Make sure your kimchi is well-fermented. The riper the kimchi, the deeper the flavor. Feel free to adjust the spice level as per your preference by varying the amount of gochujang and gochugaru.
Variation (If Any)
For a vegetarian version, you can substitute pork with shiitake mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of anchovy.
FAQs
1. Can I replace pork with any other meat?
Answer: Yes. You may substitute pork with chicken or beef as per your preference.
2. Can I reduce the spice level of the soup?
Answer: Yes, you can reduce the amount of gochujang and gochugaru as per your taste.
3. What if I cannot find Gochujang and Gochugaru?
Answer: If you can’t find these specific Korean spices, you may use any Asian chili sauce or chili pepper flakes as substitutes. However, it may slightly alter the authentic Korean taste.