Rich and Hearty Perilla Seed Noodle Soup
Quick and Easy Perilla Seed Noodle Soup: Perfect for a Cozy Day Indoors
Feeling like a change of pace on a chilly weekend when you’re stuck inside? This perilla seed noodle soup is a wonderfully quick and easy meal made with store-bought kalguksu noodles and fragrant perilla powder. It’s perfect for a comforting lunch.
Main Ingredients
- Kalguksu noodles 400g
- 1/3 Carrot
- 1/2 Scallion
- 2 Korean chili peppers (Cheongyang peppers)
- 1L Broth (anchovy-kelp or homemade)
- A handful of Chives
- A pinch of dried seaweed flakes (Gimgaru)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare a rich and flavorful broth. In a pot, bring 1L of water to a boil. Add dried kelp and anchovies, then simmer for 10-15 minutes to create the broth. (If using store-bought broth, you can skip this step.)
Step 2
Prepare the vegetables for the soup. Thinly slice the carrot into matchsticks. Slice the scallion diagonally. Finely chop the Korean chili peppers for a touch of heat.
Step 3
Once the broth is boiling, add the sliced carrots and chopped chili peppers, and cook until slightly tender. Season the broth with 2 tablespoons of anchovy sauce for a savory depth of flavor. (Feel free to adjust seasoning with soy sauce or salt to your preference.)
Step 4
It’s time to add the kalguksu noodles. Gently rinse the noodles under cold running water to remove excess flour. Add the noodles to the boiling broth. Crucially, do not stir immediately after adding the noodles, as they can stick together or break apart. Once the noodles are about halfway cooked – meaning they still have a slight bite when pierced with chopsticks – gently stir them.
Step 5
Now, let’s add the nutty flavor. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of perilla seed powder with a little broth, whisking until smooth and lump-free. This step ensures the broth remains velvety and well-integrated. Once the powder is dissolved, add it to the pot along with 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and the sliced scallions. Simmer for another moment until the fragrant aroma of perilla seeds fills the air, then turn off the heat.
Step 6
Carefully ladle the finished perilla seed noodle soup into serving bowls. Garnish generously with freshly chopped chives and a sprinkle of crispy dried seaweed flakes for a beautiful presentation. This delightful bowl of perilla seed noodle soup is now ready to be enjoyed!
