Rich and Deep Broth Chicken Kal-guksu
Ultimate Health Food! Baek Jong-won Style Chicken Kal-guksu Recipe Using Supermarket Chicken: A Fantastic Harmony of Chicken and Chewy Noodles
The ultimate health food to invigorate your tired body and soul this hot summer! Introducing a deeply flavored Chicken Kal-guksu that anyone can easily make at home, perfect for any ‘Boknal’ (dog days of summer). We’ve referenced the popular recipe tips from master chef Baek Jong-won to recreate a rich and profound broth. The tenderness of the chicken, the chewy texture of the kal-guksu noodles, and the refreshing taste of the vegetables combine to create a perfect bowl of food that everyone from young to old can enjoy.
Main Ingredients- 1 fresh whole chicken (1 pack from the supermarket)
- 1 pack of chicken drumsticks (optional, for a more generous portion)
- 3 Tbsp cooking oil
- 3 large potatoes
- 2 stalks of crisp scallions
- 2 sweet onions
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 100ml anchovy fish sauce (or Korean soy sauce for soup)
- 0.5 Tbsp coarse salt
- 1 Tbsp ginger powder (or 1 knob of fresh ginger)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 3-4 servings of chewy kal-guksu noodles
- 10g fresh chives (for garnish)
Perfect Pairing! Seasoning Sauce- 8 Tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp red chili powder
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 chopped scallion
- 1-2 green chili peppers (adjust to taste)
- 8 Tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp red chili powder
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 chopped scallion
- 1-2 green chili peppers (adjust to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the supermarket chicken thoroughly under running water. If using chicken drumsticks, make several shallow cuts into the meat, as this helps the flavors penetrate better and cooks more evenly, resulting in a tastier dish.
Step 2
Heat 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sear the chicken until it’s nicely browned on all sides. Allowing the chicken’s own fat to render out will deepen the flavor significantly.
Step 3
Peel the 2 onions and slice them thinly into about 0.5cm thick strips. The sweetness from the onions will dissolve into the broth, adding a deep flavor.
Step 4
Wash the 3 potatoes well, cut them in half, and then slice them into 0.5cm thick rounds. The potatoes will soften as they cook, making the broth creamier.
Step 5
Once the chicken is nicely browned, add the sliced onions to the pot and stir-fry them together. Sauté until the onions become translucent, which maximizes their sweetness.
Step 6
Pour in 2 liters of water. Ensure there’s enough water to generously cover the chicken and vegetables, which is essential for creating a rich broth.
Step 7
Once the chicken broth comes to a rolling boil, add 0.5 tablespoon of coarse salt to season. Then, add 100ml of anchovy fish sauce for an umami boost. You can substitute with Korean soup soy sauce if preferred.
Step 8
Add 1 tablespoon of ginger powder to eliminate any gamey odor from the chicken and to infuse a fragrant aroma. If you have fresh ginger, you can also slice about one knob thinly and add it.
Step 9
When the broth returns to a boil, add the sliced potatoes. As the potatoes cook, they will help thicken the broth slightly.
Step 10
Generously add 2 tablespoons of minced garlic. The garlic’s flavor will make the broth even richer.
Step 11
Wash and cut the 2 scallions into about 5cm lengths, then halve or quarter them before adding to the pot. The fresh, mild flavor of the scallions will infuse into the broth.
Step 12
Gently shake off the excess starch from the kal-guksu noodles, then rinse them briefly under cold water to maintain their chewy texture. Add the noodles to the boiling chicken broth, stirring occasionally to prevent them from sticking together.
Step 13
Wash the chives and cut them into long pieces, about 20cm. Briefly dip the chives into the hot broth just before serving to slightly wilt them, then arrange them as a garnish. This adds a fresh crunch and aroma.
Step 14
Ladle the tender chicken, soft cooked potatoes, and chewy kal-guksu noodles generously into serving bowls. The appetizing presentation will whet your appetite.
Step 15
Now, let’s make the seasoning sauce. Finely chop 1 scallion and add it. Mince 1-2 green chili peppers for a touch of spice. Combine 8 Tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 Tbsp red chili powder, 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil, and 1 Tbsp minced garlic in a small bowl and mix well. Feel free to add chili paste or vinegar according to your preference.
Step 16
Your rich and deep broth Chicken Kal-guksu, along with the expertly prepared seasoning sauce, is now complete! Enjoy a satisfying and delicious meal with the piping hot broth. ^^
