Nurungji Samgyetang: A Heartwarming and Healing Health Food
Recipe for Delicious Nurungji Samgyetang at Home: A Complete Guide to Boiling Dakbaeksuk
When your appetite is lost due to a severe summer cold, we introduce a warm and nutritious Nurungji Samgyetang recipe that will help your whole family recover their health. The broth, rich in flavor without any gamey smell, and the tender, chewy chicken will revive your lost appetite. Although it takes a bit of time, bring a smile to your family’s faces with this nourishing dish made with care. The savory crunch of nurungji (scorched rice) combined with the deep flavor of dakbaeksuk (boiled chicken) will create an unforgettable meal. Follow our easy step-by-step recipe to complete your own healthy and delicious Nurungji Samgyetang!
Main Ingredients- 2 chickens (total 1kg, young chickens recommended)
- Water (enough to cover the chickens)
- 1 pack of medicinal herbs for Baek숙 (samgyetang soup base)
- A little bit of Nurungji (optional, adds texture)
- 7-10 jujubes (dates)
- 7-10 whole garlic cloves
- 1 green onion
- 2 pieces of dried kelp
- A pinch of salt (for final seasoning)
For Blanching the Chicken- A little bit of whole peppercorns
- A little bit of bay leaves
- A little bit of whole peppercorns
- A little bit of bay leaves
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the additional ingredients that will enhance the flavor of your Samgyetang. Packaged medicinal herb kits for Baek숙 are convenient to use. Nurungji is optional, but it thickens the broth and adds a nutty flavor, making it even more delicious when added. Slice the green onion into bite-sized pieces. Prepare about 7-10 whole garlic cloves and some whole peppercorns according to your preference. Although not pictured, adding 1-2 pieces of dried kelp will also enhance the umami, so include them.
Step 2
Prepare two young chickens, weighing about 500g each, for a total of 1kg. While commercially sold young chickens are usually well-cleaned, it’s a good practice to remove a few parts before boiling to ensure a clean-tasting Baek숙 without any gamey odor.
Step 3
Trim the tips of both wing sections with scissors for a neat appearance. This also helps prevent the chicken from falling apart during cooking.
Step 4
The tail part of the chicken can contain a lot of fat and potentially a gamey smell, so it’s best to trim and remove it cleanly.
Step 5
It’s also recommended to trim off any excess fat around the tail area and the neck to achieve a cleaner flavor. After trimming, wash the chicken thoroughly under running water. Pay special attention to the inside of the chicken, where residual blood clots or internal debris might remain. Reach into the crevices between the bones and rub gently to remove everything. Thoroughly cleaning out these impurities is crucial for a delicious Baek숙 without any off-putting smells. Taking these few simple preparation steps before boiling will significantly help in removing any gamey flavors, so be sure not to skip them.
Step 6
Another important step for removing gamey odors is ‘blanching’ the chicken before boiling. Fill a pot with enough water to fully submerge the chicken, and add a handful of whole peppercorns and bay leaves. Once the water boils, add the cleaned chicken and blanch it for about 1 minute. After blanching, rinse the chicken under cold running water and set it aside. This process helps remove impurities and blood, resulting in a clearer broth and reducing any unwanted smells.
Step 7
Now, it’s time to boil the chicken. You can use various cooking tools like a rice cooker or pressure cooker, but here we’ll show you how to make it in a regular pot. Pot-cooked Baek숙 might take a little longer, but the process itself is very simple. In a large pot, add enough water to completely cover the chicken. Then, add the prepared medicinal herb pack, jujubes, whole garlic cloves, and dried kelp to one side of the pot.
Step 8
Once you add the ingredients and start boiling the chicken, you’ll already feel the anticipation of a delicious Samgyetang. In times of high dining-out costs, making Samgyetang at home for the whole family is the best value for money. Nourish your family’s health and happiness with this carefully prepared health food.
Step 9
Now, cover the pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 40 minutes. It’s important to allow ample time for the chicken to become tender and the broth to fully develop its flavors.
Step 10
As the broth turns milky and the chicken starts to cook, you can remove the medicinal herb pack and green onion, or other ingredients that are easy to retrieve. This step helps prevent the broth from becoming too concentrated or developing a bitter taste.
Step 11
About 30 minutes into the boiling process, add all the prepared nurungji to the pot. Continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes, allowing the nurungji to soften. If you prefer your nurungji very soft and integrated into the broth, you can add it from the beginning of the boiling process. However, if you enjoy the textural contrast of the nurungji, like I do, add it in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking. The nurungji will break down slightly, thickening the broth and adding a pleasant nutty flavor.
Step 12
As the Samgyetang nears completion, finely chop the green onion set aside for garnish. Also, prepare salt and pepper to season the soup just before serving, according to personal preference.
Step 13
Finally, taste the chicken broth and add a pinch of salt to season it appropriately. It’s best to season it slightly on the milder side initially, allowing each person to add more salt at the table to adjust the final taste to their liking. This ensures that everyone can enjoy the Nurungji Samgyetang to their satisfaction.
