Refreshing and Flavorful Oyster Soup (Gulguk) – A Taste of the Sea
Clear, Light, and Revitalizing Oyster Soup
A perfect oyster soup for a light and satisfying breakfast, this recipe is both comforting and easy to digest. Enjoy the fresh oceanic aroma of oysters balanced by the subtle sweetness of radish for a soup that’s also great for a hangover!
Main Ingredients for Oyster Soup- 500g fresh oysters
- 400g Korean radish (mu, about 1/3 medium size)
- 1 stalk green onion (scallion)
Seasonings and Broth- 4 cups anchovy-kelp broth
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (or salt to taste)
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- Salt to taste
- 4 cups anchovy-kelp broth
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (or salt to taste)
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- Salt to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Gently rinse the fresh oysters in a bowl of lightly salted water to remove any shell fragments or impurities. Rinse them 2-3 times under cold running water, then drain thoroughly in a colander. Thinly slice the Korean radish (mu) into bite-sized pieces. Slice the green onion diagonally into 5cm lengths.
Step 2
In a deep pot, combine anchovies and dried kelp. Add 4 cups of water and simmer for 10 minutes to create a flavorful anchovy-kelp broth. Remove the kelp once the water begins to boil, and strain out the anchovies after 10 minutes to obtain a clear broth.
Step 3
Add the sliced radish to the prepared broth and bring to a boil over high heat. It’s important to cook the radish until it becomes slightly translucent and tender-crisp. The radish will release a subtle sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the oysters.
Step 4
Once the radish is cooked to your liking, carefully add the drained oysters to the pot. Be careful not to overcook the oysters, as they can become tough and lose their delicate flavor. Cook just until they plump up and their color changes, which typically takes about 1-2 minutes.
Step 5
As the oysters begin to cook, add 1 Tbsp of mirin to help eliminate any fishy odor. Season first with 1 Tbsp of soup soy sauce, then add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic. Finally, add the diagonally sliced green onions and simmer for another moment. Adjust the seasoning with salt if needed. (Tip: For an even clearer and more refreshing broth, season only with salt instead of soup soy sauce.)
Step 6
Serve the oyster soup hot in bowls. You’ll enjoy the delightful combination of the radish’s refreshing sweetness and the oysters’ clean, briny flavor. This soup is wonderfully comforting on its own, or delicious served over rice!
