Clear Radish Soup (Muguk) – No Meat
Make a Refreshing Radish Soup Without Meat
A clear and refreshing radish soup made without any meat. Learn how to achieve a deep, savory flavor using simple ingredients.
Clear Radish Soup
- 8cm piece of Korean radish (Mu)
- 1 handful of oyster mushrooms (approx. 50g)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (e.g., Kkanari or Myeolchi)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (Guk-ganjang)
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 500ml anchovy and kelp broth (or rice water)
- Pinch of salt (to taste)
- Pinch of black pepper (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare an 8cm piece of Korean radish (Mu). It’s best to julienne it thinly. While you can also slice it thinly like a fan (nabak-sseolgi), julienning it allows the soy sauce and fish sauce to penetrate more easily when stir-frying, making it tastier and reducing cooking time.
Step 2
In a pan, add the julienned radish without any oil. Stir-fry over low heat until the radish becomes translucent. Then, add 1 tablespoon of fish sauce and 1 tablespoon of soup soy sauce. Continue to stir-fry until the radish is slightly softened and has absorbed the flavors. This stir-frying step is crucial for developing the soup’s deep flavor.
Step 3
Once the radish is about halfway cooked and softened, prepare the oyster mushrooms. Tear about a handful of oyster mushrooms into bite-sized pieces with your hands and add them to the pan. Stir-fry them with the radish for another 1-2 minutes. The mushrooms’ subtle aroma will mingle with the radish, creating a richer taste.
Step 4
Now, pour 500ml of anchovy and kelp broth over the stir-fried radish and mushrooms. Using pre-frozen broth makes this step quick and convenient. If you don’t have broth, rice water or plain water works well too. In that case, add an extra tablespoon of fish sauce and a tablespoon of soup soy sauce to compensate for the lack of umami. Finally, season with a pinch of salt and pepper to your liking. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface while simmering for a clearer broth. Your delicious, clear radish soup is now ready!
