Refreshing and Clear Mussels Soup (Honghap Tang)
How to Prepare Mussels and Boil Delicious Mussels Soup
A simple Mussels Soup recipe with a refreshing and clean taste using minimal ingredients (02.22.23). Even without pre-soaking for purging sand, you can enjoy a delicious soup if your mussels are fresh.
Main Ingredients- 800g fresh mussels
- Chopped scallions (to taste)
- Chopped chili peppers (to taste) (e.g., green or red chili)
Seasoning- Salt (to taste) or Korean soy sauce for soup
- Salt (to taste) or Korean soy sauce for soup
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The first step to great soup is preparing the mussels! Place fresh mussels under running water. Use one mussel shell to scrub the others firmly, removing any dirt or grit from their surfaces. This thorough cleaning is key to a clear broth.
Step 2
To remove the ‘beard’ (byssus threads), grasp it firmly and pull downwards, towards the narrower end of the mussel. It should come off easily. Removing this ensures a more pleasant texture when eating.
Step 3
For an even cleaner taste, add a pinch of coarse salt and scrub the mussels vigorously. The salt acts as an abrasive, helping to remove any stubborn impurities from the mussel shells.
Step 4
See? The mussels are now clean and ready to go. They look much more appealing, and the resulting soup will be wonderfully clear and pure.
Step 5
Place all the prepared mussels in a pot. Add just enough cold water to about halfway cover the mussels. Avoid adding too much water, as this can dilute the flavor of the soup.
Step 6
Now, add the chopped chili peppers and scallions to enhance the mussels’ natural flavor. Season with salt or Korean soy sauce at the end, adjusting to your preference. The mussels themselves provide a wonderful depth of flavor, and simmering longer will only intensify their deliciousness. Cover the pot and simmer over medium heat until all the mussels have opened.
