Spicy Fish Cake Soup (Eomuk-tang)
Hearty and Spicy Korean Fish Cake Soup Recipe
On a chilly evening when you’re craving a warm, spicy broth, I decided to take some square fish cakes from the freezer and make a delicious, peppery soup. This Eomuk-tang is perfect for warming up and satisfying your hunger!
Main Ingredients- 3 sheets of square fish cakes (eomuk)
- 200g Korean radish (mu)
- 5 leaves of baby napa cabbage (al-baechu)
- 1/2 onion
- 1/2 stalk of green onion (daepa)
- 1 Korean chili pepper (cheongyang-gochu)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s prepare the ingredients first. Cut the square fish cakes into bite-sized pieces, about 2×3 cm. Slice the Korean radish thinly, about 2-3 mm thick. Cut the baby napa cabbage leaves into large pieces, about 3-4 cm long. Slice the onion into thin strips. Slice the green onion and Korean chili pepper diagonally. Having all ingredients prepped makes the cooking process much smoother.
Step 2
Pour 1.5 liters of cold water into a pot. Add the seafood broth sachet to enhance the broth’s flavor, and bring it to a boil over high heat. If you don’t have a sachet, you can use a homemade anchovy and kelp broth.
Step 3
While the broth is boiling, let’s make the seasoning paste. In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp of Korean chili powder, 1 Tbsp of minced garlic, 1 Tbsp of soy sauce for soup, 2 Tbsp of anchovy fish sauce, 1 Tbsp of cooking wine, and 0.5 Tbsp of red pepper paste. Mix them well. Making the paste in advance will make adding flavor to the soup easier.
Step 4
Once the water is boiling vigorously, remove the seafood broth sachet. Add all the prepared Korean radish and baby napa cabbage to the pot. Reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer. The radish will release its refreshing flavor, making the broth deeper and more delicious.
Step 5
When the broth comes to a boil again, add the square fish cakes and sliced onions. Let them cook together. The fish cakes will absorb the sweetness from the onions, making them even tastier.
Step 6
Now, add all the prepared seasoning paste to the pot and stir to combine the flavors. You’ll start to smell the wonderful spicy and savory aroma.
Step 7
After adding the seasoning and letting it simmer for a moment, add the diagonally sliced green onions and Korean chili peppers. Cook for just another 1-2 minutes. This will add a fresh, spicy kick to the soup’s flavor.
Step 8
Finally, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed. You can also add a pinch of black pepper for extra flavor, if you like.
Step 9
Let the soup simmer gently until the fish cakes are tender and have absorbed the flavors of the broth. Your delicious spicy fish cake soup is now ready to be enjoyed! Serve hot and savor the warmth.
