Silken Tofu and Kimchi Soup
A Hearty Morning Soup, Perfect Even Without Rice!
This recipe features silken tofu added to a kimchi soup base, creating a wonderfully soft and comforting dish. It’s perfect as a satisfying breakfast soup, even when you don’t have rice on hand.
Ingredients- 3 cups Dried Pollack Broth (or anchovy-kelp broth)
- 1 block Silken Tofu
- 1 cup Ripe Kimchi
- 1 stalk Green Onion
- 1 tsp Minced Garlic
- A pinch of Saeujeot (fermented shrimp paste) for seasoning
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, pour 3 cups of your prepared dried pollack broth into a pot and bring it to a boil. If you don’t have dried pollack broth, don’t worry! I’ll guide you on how to make a substitute broth in the next step.
Step 2
If dried pollack broth isn’t available, you can make a quick broth by boiling water (or rice water) with dried kelp and anchovies or dried pollack meat, then straining out the solids. For a vegan option, use kelp and vegetable scraps. Alternatively, steeping burdock root tea or lotus root tea can add a nice savory depth. If you’re short on time, simply boil water with a splash of kimchi juice and cooking wine (mirin).
Step 3
Chop the ripe kimchi into bite-sized pieces and add it to the simmering broth. Once the kimchi has softened slightly, add the white parts of the green onion, thinly sliced, and continue to simmer.
Step 4
This step is a repeat of the previous one: add the chopped kimchi and the white parts of the green onion to the pot and let it simmer. Allow the tangy flavor of the kimchi to infuse well into the broth.
Step 5
Carefully remove the silken tofu from its packaging and place it in a sieve for a moment to drain off excess water. This helps prevent the soup from becoming too watery and keeps the tofu pieces intact.
Step 6
Gently add the drained silken tofu to the pot. Also, add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic. Stir gently to avoid breaking up the tofu as it cooks.
Step 7
Finally, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with a pinch of saeujeot (fermented shrimp paste) if needed. If saeujeot is unavailable, a little soy sauce for soup or salt can be used. Once seasoned, add the remaining green parts of the green onion, let it simmer briefly, and then immediately turn off the heat. Your delicious silken tofu and kimchi soup is ready!
