Spicy and Refreshing Bean Sprout Kimchi Soup
How to Make Bean Sprout Kimchi Soup: A Recipe for a Spicy and Refreshing Broth Dish
This is a wonderfully refreshing and spicy bean sprout kimchi soup, perfect for a chilly day when you crave a warm bowl of broth. The crisp, refreshing taste of bean sprouts is enhanced by the spicy kick of well-fermented kimchi, making it an excellent hangover cure. It’s also a satisfying meal when served with a bowl of rice. This simple recipe uses a basic anchovy-kelp broth as its base, with fermented kimchi and bean sprouts simmered to perfection. Anyone can easily make this delicious soup! The key is to first simmer the kimchi thoroughly to extract its flavor into the broth, and then add the bean sprouts at the end to preserve their crisp texture. You can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more chili powder or peppers to your liking. Whether you need a comforting hangover remedy after year-end gatherings or a hearty meal any day, this bean sprout kimchi soup is the perfect choice. Let’s make it today!
Ingredients
- 300g Bean Sprouts
- 1.2L Anchovy-Kelp Broth (or 2 bouillon cubes)
- 1 bowl-sized portion of well-fermented Kimchi
- 100ml Kimchi Juice
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce for Soup
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (or anchovy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Chili Powder (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 stalk Scallion
- 1-2 Korean Green Chilies or Red Peppers (adjust to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare about 1.2L of anchovy-kelp broth. In a pot, add 1.5L of water and one kelp pack. Bring to a boil, then remove the kelp after 5 minutes. Add an anchovy pack and simmer for another 10 minutes to create a rich broth. (Alternatively, you can use pre-made broth or 2 bouillon cubes.) While the broth is simmering, prepare the other ingredients.
Step 2
Rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly under running water. There’s usually no need to trim the roots or remove the hulls, but pick out any wilted parts or loose skins. Drain them well in a colander.
Step 3
Chop the well-fermented kimchi into bite-sized pieces. If your kimchi is very sour, you might want to use a bit less. Prepare about 100ml (half a cup) of kimchi juice to add depth and flavor to the soup.
Step 4
Slice the scallion diagonally. Slice the chili peppers diagonally as well. If you enjoy a spicier soup, use Korean green chilies or add more peppers.
Step 5
Now, let’s start cooking the bean sprout kimchi soup with the prepared ingredients. Pour the anchovy-kelp broth into a pot and bring it to a boil.
Step 6
Once the broth is boiling, add the chopped kimchi and kimchi juice first to begin the first stage of simmering. This step is crucial for extracting the refreshing flavor of the kimchi into the broth.
Step 7
After adding the kimchi, cover the pot and simmer over medium heat for about 15 minutes. This allows the kimchi’s flavor to deeply infuse into the broth, creating a rich taste. Simmering well ensures the kimchi’s umami comes through.
Step 8
Once the kimchi has simmered sufficiently, add 1 Tbsp soy sauce for soup, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1 Tbsp chili powder. Adjust seasoning to your preference. You can substitute anchovy sauce with fish sauce if desired.
Step 9
Bring the soup to a boil again after adding the seasonings. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface during boiling. This will result in a clearer and cleaner-tasting broth.
Step 10
Towards the end of the cooking process, add the prepared bean sprouts. To prevent a raw bean sprout smell, cook them uncovered over high heat for just 3-4 minutes. This short cooking time will keep the bean sprouts crisp. Adjust the cooking time slightly based on your preferred texture.
Step 11
Finally, add the diagonally sliced scallions and chili peppers, and simmer for another moment to finish. If the soup needs more seasoning, add a pinch of salt to taste. (Optional: Adding soft tofu will make the soup even more hearty.) On a chilly morning, a warm bowl of this spicy bean sprout kimchi soup will warm you from the inside out and make for a satisfying meal. Enjoy this healthy and delicious homemade soup!
