Clear and Flavorful Oyster Soup (Gulguk)
How to Make Delicious Oyster Soup (Gulguk)
Introducing a recipe for Gulguk, a Korean oyster soup made with the ‘milk of the sea’ – fresh oysters – along with shredded radish and chili peppers, seasoned with soup soy sauce. While cleaning oysters can be a bit tedious, making the soup itself is quite simple. Gulguk is a comforting dish that comes to mind when the cool breeze starts to blow. Its refreshing broth is excellent for hangover relief and packed with nutrients like glycogen and taurine, which help reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure. Enjoy this nutritious and delicious meal.
Main Ingredients- 300g fresh oysters
- 1 segment of radish (approx. 150g)
- 3 shiitake mushrooms
- 1 bunch of chives
- 1/4 zucchini
- 1 red chili pepper
- 2 green chili peppers (e.g., Cheongyang peppers)
Seasoning Ingredients- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp soup soy sauce (Guk-ganjang)
- Salt to taste (coarse sea salt)
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (Mirin or similar)
- 1/2 Tbsp vinegar
Oyster Cleaning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt
- 4 Tbsp radish juice (grated radish, squeezed)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp soup soy sauce (Guk-ganjang)
- Salt to taste (coarse sea salt)
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (Mirin or similar)
- 1/2 Tbsp vinegar
Oyster Cleaning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt
- 4 Tbsp radish juice (grated radish, squeezed)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Drain the oysters in a colander and rinse them gently under running water. Place them in a bowl and add 1 Tbsp of coarse sea salt and 4 Tbsp of radish juice. Gently rub the oysters with your fingertips as if massaging them. Repeat this rinsing process 2-3 times, being careful not to break the oysters. This helps remove any impurities and off-flavors, resulting in a cleaner taste. Drain the cleaned oysters well.
Step 2
Peel the radish and slice it thinly into half-moon shapes (about 0.2cm thick). Remove the stems from the shiitake mushrooms and slice them about 0.5cm thick. Deseed the red and green chili peppers and slice them diagonally about 0.5cm thick. Wash the chives and cut them into 5cm lengths. Cut the zucchini into quarters lengthwise, then slice them into fan shapes about 0.5cm thick.
Step 3
In a pot, combine 6 cups (approx. 1.2L) of water and the thinly sliced radish. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Simmer until the radish becomes translucent, allowing its refreshing flavor to infuse into the broth.
Step 4
Once the radish is tender, add the sliced zucchini and shiitake mushrooms to the pot and continue to boil until they are soft.
Step 5
When the soup returns to a boil, add the prepared oysters, ½ Tbsp of minced garlic, 2 Tbsp of soup soy sauce, and 2 Tbsp of cooking wine. Cook until the oysters are just cooked through. Oysters can become tough if overcooked, so aim to boil them for only about 2-3 minutes after adding them.
Step 6
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning. If needed, add a little more coarse sea salt to reach your desired saltiness. Feel free to adjust the amount of soup soy sauce and salt according to your preference.
Step 7
Finally, add the cut chives and green chili peppers. Cook just until the chives wilt slightly. This adds a fresh aroma and a hint of spiciness, enhancing the overall flavor of the soup.
Step 8
Turn off the heat. For an extra touch of freshness and to help balance the flavors, stir in ½ Tbsp of vinegar. Vinegar can help reduce any lingering fishiness from the oysters and makes the broth taste even cleaner.
Step 9
Ladle the finished oyster soup into serving bowls. Enjoy this clear, refreshing, and flavorful Gulguk, a perfect meal to savor with its delicious combination of fresh oysters and vegetables.
