Winters in Korea are brutally cold, which means you can feel confident that these Korean soups will give you some new life and fill you up with contentment despite the nasty weather.
The winter on the east coast has been unbelievably cold. Winter, in general, is bitterly cold, but this year has been unusually cold. Fortunately, you can warm up with these delectable soups. Winters in Korea are brutally cold as well, which means you can feel confident that these Korean soups will give you some new life and fill you up with contentment despite the nasty weather.
Galbitang
Galbitang is also known short rib soup. This soup is rich and hearty, so if you’re in the mood for a light meal, this is not the soup you want. Some of the ingredients in the soup, beyond the grilled ribs known as galbi, include daikon radishes and glass noodles. If you’ve got the winter blues, or just feel sick, this soup can give you a lift. Want to make this soup go even further? You can add eggs, soy sauce, and even potatoes. If you’re attending a Korean wedding anytime soon, you might also see this soup served during the reception.
Samgyetung
If you enjoy chicken noodle soup, then you are going to love the second of our Korean soups, samgyetung. This dish is essentially Korean chicken noodle soup, but with a boost from a secret ingredient: ginseng. An entire chicken (a young one, that is) is used to make the soup, along with a healthy amount of garlic, rice, jujube, and of course, ginseng. It’s quite refreshing, which might contribute to its extraordinary popularity during the intense heat of a Korean summer. If you’re planning on visiting South Korea, you’ll be able to enjoy this soup at many restaurants that specialize in it so that they have nothing else on their menus.
Janchi
Even without chicken, noodle soup can still be satisfying. If you don’t fancy chicken, you can instead have janchi. Janchi is made when wheat noodles are combined with a beef broth. Alternatively, the broth can be made with anchovies, in case you happen to be craving something different from the norm. Beef, veggies, and eggs are common toppings, but watch out for the spicy kick from sesame oil mixed with chili pepper powder.
Budae-jjigae
Unlike the other Korean soups on our list, this dish is a stew and not a soup. Even so, it’s delicious nonetheless. Its name means “army base stew” and refers to how ham, Spam, and canned beans journeyed from American army bases established after the Korean War and entered the South Korean cuisine.
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