Refreshing Agar-Agar and Cucumber Cold Soup (Haenguk)
Super Easy Agar-Agar and Cucumber Cold Soup Recipe, Summer Delicacy! Enjoy Refreshing Cucumber Cold Soup with Benefits of Agar-Agar
Agar-agar, known for its low calorie count and rich fiber content, is a popular ingredient for those on diets or managing their food intake. It’s not only beneficial for flushing out harmful sodium and reducing cholesterol levels, but its diverse minerals and vitamins also boost metabolism and strengthen the immune system, making consistent consumption highly beneficial. In that spirit, today I’ll share a recipe that allows you to enjoy both great taste and health with Jungisa agar-agar.
Main Ingredients- 156g Korean cucumber (approx. 1)
- 83g Onion (1/2)
- 1 Korean chili pepper (Cheongyang)
- 37g Red bell pepper
- 400g Agar-agar strands
Salting the Cucumber- 1 Tbsp coarse salt
Cold Soup Broth- 1200ml Water
- 2 sheets dried kelp (about 10cm x 10cm)
- 4 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3.5 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 2 Tbsp coarse salt
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt
Cold Soup Broth- 1200ml Water
- 2 sheets dried kelp (about 10cm x 10cm)
- 4 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3.5 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 2 Tbsp coarse salt
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
If you don’t have lemon juice, you can use vinegar, but the highlight of this refreshing soup from my mother-in-law is the use of tangy lemon juice with agar-agar. So, I highly recommend using lemon juice if possible. Instead of red bell pepper, you can also add red chili peppers for a spicy kick – it’s delicious! Also, using a whole cucumber instead of just a portion will give you a more generous amount of toppings.
Step 2
Cucumber cold soup is not only easy to make but also uses simple ingredients, making it a perfect, quick dish for hot summer days. It’s a special dish that truly awakens your appetite with its sweet and sour flavors! Today, we’ll be making it even more delicious by using slightly different ingredients in my mother-in-law’s signature cold soup recipe.
Step 3
Rub the cucumber with coarse salt to clean its surface, then rinse it thoroughly under running water. Be careful not to rub too hard, as this can make the cucumber mushy; apply moderate pressure. After washing, slice the cucumber thinly, and then julienne it into fine strips.
Step 4
Now, add 1 tablespoon (5cc) of coarse salt to the julienned cucumber and let it sit for about 10 minutes to absorb the salt. This step draws out moisture and seasons the cucumber. While the cucumber is salting, you can save time by preparing the kelp broth for the cold soup.
Step 5
To make a flavorful kelp broth, steep 2 sheets of kelp in 1200ml of water for about 10 minutes. While the cucumber is salting and the broth is steeping, it’s a good idea to prepare the other vegetables for the cold soup. This way, you can finish the soup more quickly. Let’s do it together!
Step 6
Thinly julienne the onion into bite-sized pieces. If you like a bit of heat, wash the chili pepper, cut it in half, remove the seeds, and then slice it for a cleaner taste in your cold soup. Dice the red bell pepper into small, bite-sized pieces. Now, all the ingredients for the cold soup are ready!
Step 7
Rinse the agar-agar strands from the package under running water using a sieve, and drain any excess water. The firm texture of the agar-agar will add a delightful chewiness to the soup.
Step 8
Has the cucumber been salted well? You can actually make the cold soup directly in the same bowl where the cucumber is salted. If your bowl is too small, transfer the salted cucumber to a larger bowl before proceeding.
Step 9
Add all the prepared vegetables – onion, chili pepper, and bell pepper – to the salted cucumber. Then, pour in the flavorful kelp broth and let’s adjust the seasoning for that perfect sweet and sour taste!
Step 10
Now for the tangy element, as my mother-in-law taught me: add 4 tablespoons of lemon juice.
Step 11
Add 1 tablespoon (5cc) of minced garlic for a savory aroma.
Step 12
Add 3.5 tablespoons of sugar for sweetness.
Step 13
Add 2 tablespoons (5cc) of corn syrup (or your preferred liquid sweetener) for a glossy texture and mellow sweetness.
Step 14
Add 2 tablespoons (5cc) of coarse salt and 1 tablespoon (5cc) of fish sauce to season. Stir vigorously until everything is well combined (shake shake!).
Step 15
Finally, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top to finish. You can enjoy it immediately, but for an even more delicious experience, chill it in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to let the flavors meld perfectly!
