Simple Kimchi Soup Recipe: A Quick and Flavorful Meal
Kimchi jjigae (김치찌개), or kimchi soup, is a staple in Korean cuisine. It's a hearty, flavorful, and surprisingly easy dish to make, perfect for a weeknight meal. This recipe focuses on simplicity, allowing the natural flavors of the kimchi to shine.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe uses readily available ingredients and can easily be adapted to your preferences. Feel free to adjust the quantities to suit your needs.
- Kimchi: 1 cup (use well-fermented kimchi for best flavor)
- Pork belly (optional): 4-5 ounces, thinly sliced (you can substitute with tofu, beef, or chicken)
- Onion: ½ medium, chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes): 1 teaspoon (adjust to your spice preference)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste): ½ tablespoon (optional, adds depth of flavor)
- Soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
- Fish sauce: 1 teaspoon (optional, adds umami)
- Water or broth: 4 cups
- Green onions: 2 stalks, chopped (for garnish)
- Cooking oil: 1 tablespoon
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Sauté Aromatics:
Heat the cooking oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until softened and fragrant (about 2-3 minutes).
2. Cook the Protein (optional):
If using pork belly, add it to the pot and cook until browned. This step adds richness and depth of flavor. If using tofu or other protein, add it later in the cooking process.
3. Add Kimchi and Spices:
Add the kimchi, gochugaru, and gochujang (if using) to the pot. Stir well to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the kimchi to release its flavors.
4. Simmer the Soup:
Pour in the water or broth, soy sauce, and fish sauce (if using). Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 15-20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it becomes.
5. Finishing Touches:
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. You might want to add more soy sauce, gochugaru, or fish sauce depending on your preference.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot with rice. This soup is delicious on its own or with other Korean side dishes (banchan).
Tips for the Best Simple Kimchi Soup:
- Use well-fermented kimchi: This will result in a more flavorful and tangy soup.
- Don't be afraid to adjust the spices: Adjust the amount of gochugaru to your liking.
- Simmer for longer for deeper flavor: The longer you simmer the soup, the more the flavors will develop.
- Add other vegetables: You can add other vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or potatoes for extra nutrients and flavor.
- Experiment with protein: Tofu, chicken, beef, or even seafood can be delicious additions.
This simple kimchi soup recipe is a fantastic introduction to Korean cooking. It’s quick, easy, customizable, and incredibly satisfying. Enjoy!
