Hearty Chicken Mentsukatsu with Refreshing Young Radish Soybean Paste Soup
A Mom’s Carefully Prepared Meal for Her Son on Leave
He’s nearing the end of his military service and will be discharged next February. This is a meal we shared on a weekend when he came home on leave. This set menu, featuring a satisfying chicken mentsukatsu and a refreshing young radish soybean paste soup, is made with a mother’s loving touch to comfort her son after his challenging service.
Chicken Mentsukatsu- 2 Chicken Mentsukatsu pieces
- 5 Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 3 Button Mushrooms (sliced for cooking)
- Mandarin Oranges (a few, for garnish)
- Kiwi (a few, for garnish)
- Baby Greens (a handful, for garnish)
- Pinch of Salt (to taste)
- Mustard Sauce (a little, for serving)
Young Radish Soybean Paste Soup- 100g Young Radish (washed and cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 cups Anchovy Broth
- 1 Tbsp Soybean Paste (Doenjang)
- A little Green Onion (chopped)
- 100g Young Radish (washed and cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 cups Anchovy Broth
- 1 Tbsp Soybean Paste (Doenjang)
- A little Green Onion (chopped)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
[Chicken Mentsukatsu] First, prepare the chicken mentsukatsu. Lightly oil a pan and place the prepared shrimp and mentsukatsu pieces in it. Pan-fry until golden brown. Sauté the sliced button mushrooms alongside to enhance their flavor. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, and ensure the mentsukatsu is thoroughly cooked until crispy on the outside. 
Step 2
Arrange the cooked chicken mentsukatsu, shrimp, and sautéed mushrooms attractively on a plate. Add fresh baby greens for a pop of color. Serving with sweet mandarin oranges and kiwi makes for an even more visually appealing and complete meal. A drizzle of mustard sauce can be added according to preference.
Step 3
[Young Radish Soybean Paste Soup] Pour 2 cups of anchovy broth into a pot and bring it to a boil. Once the broth is boiling, add the washed and bite-sized cut young radish and let it simmer for a bit until the radish softens. Then, add 1 tablespoon of soybean paste and dissolve it well into the soup. It’s important to dissolve the paste thoroughly to ensure a clean and savory broth. 
Step 4
Finally, add the chopped green onions and let it simmer for another moment to finish. The fresh aroma of the green onions will further enhance the soup’s flavor. Serve hot and enjoy this hearty meal with rice.
