Soups Recipes
434 recipes. Page 5 of 19
Soups and broths are the backbone of a Korean meal, served alongside rice at nearly every table. From clear seaweed soup (miyeokguk) to rich ox-bone broth (gomtang) and spicy beef soup (yukgaejang), the variety is enormous. Each season brings its own favorites - chilled soups in summer and piping-hot stews in winter.
Houtou Pumpkin Miso Noodles
Houtou is a representative Yamanashi noodle dish. A salt-free dough of wheat flour and lukewarm water is rolled thin, cut into wide strips about 1cm across, and simmered directly in dried-sardine dashi and miso with potato, pumpkin, daikon, carrot, napa cabbage, and shiitake. Because the floured noodles are not boiled separately, their starch thickens the broth and helps it retain heat. Houtou has long served as a staple in mountainous areas poorly suited to rice cultivation, and making the noodles was once treated as an important household skill. It is eaten throughout the year but appears more often in winter as a filling, warming meal.
Soba Dojo Buckwheat Dough Hotpot
Soba dojo nabe is a winter hotpot from Kagamino in Okayama. Buckwheat flour is kneaded with egg and boiling water, then pinched off and rolled into long, thin pieces shaped like loaches before cooking in dashi with vegetables. Despite the name and shape, the dish contains no loach. Burdock, carrot, napa cabbage, pumpkin, shiitake, fried tofu, and chikuwa simmer together, and soy sauce, mirin, and sake season the broth once the dough is cooked. Passed down in a mountain area as warming cold-weather food, it serves the tender buckwheat pieces and vegetables together in their savory broth.
Hu Tieu Nam Vang (Vietnamese Pork & Shrimp Noodle Soup)
Hu tieu nam vang is a clear-broth rice noodle soup from southern Vietnam, originating in the Cambodian immigrant communities of Phnom Penh and now thoroughly embedded in Saigon street food culture. Pork bones are simmered at low heat for an extended time while the surface is skimmed repeatedly to keep the broth transparent and clean-tasting. Fish sauce and a measured amount of sugar season the broth with a savory-sweet balance that is distinctively southern Vietnamese. Ground pork is pan-fried with garlic until the moisture cooks off and the meat turns crumbly and lightly browned, creating a textured topping that contrasts with the silky broth. Whole shrimp are blanched for one minute only, enough to set the flesh without turning them rubbery. Rice noodles go into the bowl first, raw bean sprouts are piled on top, and boiling broth is ladled over, wilting the outer layers of the sprouts while leaving their cores crisp. A spoonful of garlic-infused oil floated on the surface releases fragrance with each sip and deepens the overall aroma. Green onion and black pepper finish the bowl simply, and the long-cooked broth does the work of pulling every element together. Lime wedges and fresh chilies on the side let each diner adjust acidity and heat to their own preference.
Somage (Buckwheat Dumpling Soup)
Somage is a mountain dish from Shiiba Village in northern Miyazaki, made by cooking buckwheat flour into dumpling-like masses in dried sardine broth with vegetables. Although its name joins soma, meaning buckwheat, with ge, meaning porridge, the Shiiba version resembles a vegetable soup containing rustic buckwheat dumplings rather than a loose grain porridge. Shredded daikon, carrot, green onion, and leafy greens simmer in broth seasoned with soy sauce and salt before the flour is stirred in and cooked through. It once replaced rice on cold days, and any portion that hardened after cooling could be cut into small pieces and toasted over a hearth.
Korean Corbicula Clam Noodle Soup
Jaecheop-guksu is a regional specialty from Hadong in South Gyeongsang Province, built on a clear broth extracted from purged freshwater corbicula clams. The broth carries the clams' concentrated brininess alongside a remarkably clean, light body, seasoned sparingly with soup soy sauce and salt to let the shellfish flavor dominate. A single cheongyang chili simmered in the pot lends a gentle background heat, and scallion with black pepper finishes the aroma. Widely regarded as a hangover remedy, this noodle soup is prized for its ability to settle the stomach with its pure, uncluttered flavor. Along the Seomjin River restaurants of Hadong, jaecheop dishes in various forms are considered the defining taste of the region.
Korean Dried Pollock Hangover Soup
Buk-eo Haejang-guk is a traditional Korean soup frequently consumed in the morning to soothe the digestive system. It relies on dried pollock strips as the primary ingredient. Before beginning the cooking process, the dried pollock requires a brief soaking period in cold water lasting approximately five minutes. This step is necessary to soften the texture while ensuring that the inherent flavors of the fish are not washed away. Keeping the soaking time to a strict minimum prevents the fish from becoming overly soft or weakening the resulting broth. The prepared fish is first stir-fried in sesame oil. This initial sautéing step functions to neutralize any lingering fishy aromas and establishes a toasted, nutty foundation for the liquid. Once the fish is fragrant, soybean sprouts and minced garlic are added to the pot to simmer for fifteen minutes. The addition of soybean sprouts introduces a clean and refreshing quality to the soup. For seasoning, soup soy sauce is used to achieve a clear and balanced flavor profile. Just before the pot is removed from the heat, a thin stream of whisked egg is poured into the simmering liquid along with sliced green onions. People preferring a more intense savory profile can mix a small spoonful of fermented soybean paste, known as doenjang, into the base to deepen the flavor. The final result is a mild soup that has long been used as a restorative morning-after remedy in Korea.
Korean Banquet Noodles (Thin Noodles in Anchovy Kelp Broth)
Janchi-guksu is a classic Korean celebration noodle soup with thin wheat noodles served in a clear broth drawn from dried anchovies and kelp. The broth balances the anchovies' deep umami against the kelp's restrained sweetness, with soup soy sauce used for seasoning so the liquid stays transparent and clean rather than cloudy or heavily salted. Julienned zucchini and carrot are stir-fried separately and arranged as garnishes on top, joined by strips of pan-fried egg crepe and crumbled roasted seaweed, giving the bowl its characteristic layered appearance of white, green, yellow, and black. The dish traces back to the custom of serving noodles to guests at weddings, birthdays, and first-birthday celebrations, with the long shape of the noodle carrying a folk belief about longevity that made it a natural fixture at auspicious events. The ingredients are few, but the care taken with the broth determines the character of the bowl - it is a dish that appears simple but rewards proper attention.
Bugeoguk (Korean Dried Pollack Hangover Soup)
Bugeoguk is a traditional Korean dried pollack soup, widely consumed as a restorative hangover cure. The preparation starts by soaking dried pollack strips in water, removing any bones, and stir-frying them in sesame oil. This stir-frying step is essential to release a rich, nutty flavor that forms the foundation of the broth. Water is then added and brought to a boil, and the rising foam is skimmed off to ensure a clear broth. The soup is simmered with tofu, soup soy sauce, and minced garlic to build depth. Near the end of cooking, beaten eggs are poured into the pot in a circular motion to create soft ribbon-like strands, finished with sliced green onions and a pinch of salt. Substituting the freeze-dried variety, hwangtae, offers a softer texture and deeper umami. It is a light and comforting soup that is gentle on the stomach.
Korean Spicy Gangwon Knife-Cut Noodles
Jang kalguksu is a Gangwon Province style of knife-cut noodle soup defined by dissolving both gochujang and doenjang directly into an anchovy-kelp stock, a combination that sets it apart from standard kalguksu at a fundamental level. The fermented chili paste brings a spicy, rounded sweetness while the soybean paste contributes a dense, earthy richness, and together they build a broth with a complexity that neither ingredient could produce alone. An additional measure of gochugaru piles on a sharper chili heat, giving the soup its signature fiery edge. Potato breaks down as it simmers, naturally thickening the broth without any added starch, while zucchini releases sweetness, and onion and green onion round out the aromatics. Fresh-cut noodles have a smooth exterior and a springy, slightly resistant bite that clings well to the thick, rust-red broth. The dish originates from the mountainous interior of Gangwon Province, where it warmed workers through cold seasons, and the combination of deep umami and lingering heat still makes it one of the most satisfying one-bowl meals in Korean regional cooking.
Korean Beef and Octopus Hot Pot
Bulnak jeongol is a hot pot made by simmering sliced beef chadolbaegi and fresh octopus together in an anchovy-kelp broth. The beef enriches the stock with a meaty depth while the fat renders out and emulsifies into the broth, and the octopus adds a firm, springy chew that holds up through the heat. Napa cabbage and water dropwort lighten the pot with fresh, slightly bitter vegetal notes, keeping the heavily flavored broth from becoming too rich. The seasoning stays restrained with soy sauce and garlic so the natural taste of each ingredient carries. Octopus should be added last so it does not toughen; the legs curling and turning a vivid red-orange is the sign that it is properly cooked. Cracking a raw egg into the simmering broth near the end adds a mild, creamy element that rounds out the intense savory notes.
Korean Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup
Jjamppong is a Korean-Chinese noodle soup where seafood and vegetables are stir-fried in chili oil at very high heat before broth is added, a sequence that fundamentally shapes the soup. Blooming gochugaru in hot oil instead of adding it directly to liquid extracts fat-soluble compounds that carry a smoky, toasted depth the raw powder cannot contribute. Squid, mussels, and shrimp release their own juices during the fry stage, and those juices dissolve into the chicken stock when the liquid hits the pan. Cabbage and onion caramelize in the residual oil and give off natural sugars that temper the chili heat. Soy sauce binds the seasoning and gives the broth its reddish-brown depth. Springy fresh wheat noodles absorb the concentrated broth, and by the time they reach the table the noodles are already carrying the full flavor of the soup in every strand.
Caldo Verde (Portuguese Potato Soup with Kale and Sausage)
Caldo verde is Portugal's most emblematic soup, originating in the Minho region of the north and eaten across the country at festivals, family tables, and everyday meals. A base of potatoes and onion is simmered in water until the potatoes fall completely apart, then blended smooth so the natural starch thickens the soup without any added cream, flour, or roux. The result is a velvety texture built entirely from vegetables and water. Sliced smoked chourico or linguica is added next, and as the sausage heats through its rendered fat and smoky salt diffuse through the broth, adding depth and richness that a plain potato soup cannot offer. Collard greens or kale are cut into the thinnest possible ribbons and cooked for only the final eight minutes, which keeps the color vivid green and the texture slightly resistant to the bite. Overcooking dulls the color to olive and turns the leaves soft and stringy. A drizzle of olive oil over each bowl and thick slices of broa, a dense Portuguese cornbread, alongside the soup allow the broth to soak into the crumb and complete what is otherwise a simple but deeply satisfying meal.
Kake Udon (Plain Udon in Clear Dashi Broth)
Kake udon is the most elemental form of Japanese udon: thick, springy wheat noodles served in a clear dashi broth seasoned with soy sauce, mirin, and a small amount of salt. With so few components, the quality of the dashi determines everything about the dish. The broth is built on katsuobushi and dried kelp, producing a flavor that is restrained but unmistakably savory. The noodles must be thick enough to hold their chew and smooth enough to carry broth with each lift of the chopsticks. Toppings are deliberately kept to a minimum, typically sliced kamaboko fish cake and chopped green onion, so the stock and noodle texture remain the focus rather than any single garnish. The noodles should go directly from the pot into hot broth, as they soften quickly and lose their characteristic bounce if left to sit. In the Kansai region, pale usukuchi soy sauce is used to keep the broth nearly transparent, making the visual clarity of the soup another deliberate element of the dish.
Korean Tuna Kimchi Soup (Spicy Fermented Kimchi and Canned Tuna Soup)
Kimchi goes into the pot first to be stir-fried until its sharp acidity mellows and its aroma deepens, then canned tuna, tofu, onion, and gochugaru are added with water and brought to a simmer. The oil from the tuna disperses through the broth, adding savory depth without any heaviness. Soup soy sauce provides the base seasoning, keeping the stock clean rather than muddy. Tofu is added only after the liquid reaches a full boil so the cubes hold their shape, and a pour of reserved kimchi brine at the end brings both salinity and a second hit of fermented tang that defines the finished broth.
Kakke Buckwheat Triangles
Kakke is a home dish from southern Aomori made by kneading buckwheat flour with salt and water, rolling it thin, and cutting it into triangles. The pieces cook in dashi with daikon and tofu, then are lifted from the pot and dipped in miso mixed with grated garlic. The local word kakke can mean a piece or edge, and one origin story connects the dish to scraps left from soba making. The tender buckwheat edges, hot vegetables and tofu, and pungent garlic miso are prepared around one simmering pot and eaten as an everyday meal in the Nanbu region.
Korean Freshwater Crab Spicy Soup
This spicy freshwater crab soup is a traditional Korean regional dish featuring halved crabs simmered in a rich broth. The preparation starts by scrubbing the crabs and soaking them in light saltwater for five minutes to reduce any muddy odor. A base broth is made by boiling sliced radish and soybean paste, which is strained through a sieve to keep the texture smooth. The crabs are then added and boiled for ten minutes while skimming the foam. A combination of red pepper flakes and Cheongyang chilies builds a double layer of heat, complemented by minced garlic and soup soy sauce. Zucchini, green onions, and chili peppers are added during the final five minutes of cooking, allowing their natural sweetness to balance the spicy broth. Simmering for forty minutes in total extracts the deep, briny flavor of the freshwater crab.
Korean Knife-cut Noodle Soup
Kalguksu is a Korean noodle soup made with hand-cut wheat noodles simmered in anchovy-kelp broth. The noodles are rolled flat and sliced with a knife, giving them a rough surface that absorbs broth and a satisfying chew distinct from machine-made pasta. Sliced potato, half-moon zucchini, and onion go into the pot, with the potato releasing starch that naturally thickens the broth as it cooks. Seasoning stays minimal - soup soy sauce, salt, minced garlic, and green onion added at the end - so the clean, savory depth of the stock comes through clearly. The dish is traditionally associated with rainy days in Korea, and adding clams turns it into a popular seafood variation.
Chamnamul Dubu-guk (Korean Pimpinella Tofu Soup)
Chamnamul dubu-guk is the herb-forward Korean tofu soup in the dubu-guk family, built around chamnamul, or Korean pimpinella greens, in anchovy-kelp stock. Tofu goes in first and simmers for four minutes, absorbing the savory broth before the seasoning of soup soy sauce and salt is added. The chamnamul enters only at the end, kept barely long enough to wilt so its sharp, grassy fragrance stays intact rather than cooking off. The herbal edge of the greens cuts through the mild tofu and gives this clear soup a fresher profile than plain dubu-jangguk.
Korean Knife-Cut Noodles and Dough Flake Soup
Kaljebi is a Korean home-style soup that cooks knife-cut noodles and hand-torn dough flakes together in a single pot of anchovy-kelp broth. Sliced potato goes in first, releasing starch that thickens the broth to a gentle, savory body without any additive. The dough flakes are pinched thin and dropped in well ahead of the knife-cut noodles - because they need more time to cook through - so both elements finish together. Every spoonful holds two distinct textures: the broad, pillowy sheets of sujebi alongside the chewy strands of kalguksu. Zucchini and green onion round out the flavor, and a light hand with soup soy sauce keeps the bowl clear and clean-tasting rather than heavy. This is weekday cooking at its most practical, requiring only a handful of pantry staples.
Chanko Nabe (Sumo-Style Hot Pot)
Chanko nabe is a Tokyo hot pot associated with communal meals in sumo stables. Chicken thigh and chicken meatballs simmer with napa cabbage, carrot, leeks, mizuna, mushrooms, tofu, fried tofu, and kuzukiri in a garlic and ginger chicken broth. The ingredients are not added all at once: dense vegetables and raw chicken cook first, followed by mushrooms and stems, then delicate greens and tofu. Diners take fully cooked pieces from the simmering pot while the remaining ingredients continue to cook.
Northern Thai Coconut Curry Noodles
Khao soi is a coconut curry noodle soup from northern Thailand's Chiang Mai region. Red curry paste is fried in coconut cream until fragrant, then combined with more coconut milk and chicken stock to form a thick, spiced broth. Bone-in chicken thighs simmer in this liquid for about 20 minutes until the meat turns fork-tender. Egg noodles are boiled separately and placed in the bowl, but what sets the dish apart is a handful of the same noodles deep-fried until crisp and scattered on top - the crunch against the soft, soupy noodles below creates a sharp textural contrast. Shallots, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime cut through the richness, while fish sauce and a touch of sugar fine-tune the balance between salty, sweet, and sour.
Korean Green Seaweed Tofu Soup
Cheonggak-dubu-guk is a light Korean seaweed soup made by soaking salted cheonggak sea staghorn in cold water to draw out excess salt, then simmering it with tofu and onion in a clean broth. Onion and garlic are sauteed in perilla oil first to build a nutty base, and the broth is seasoned with tuna extract and soup soy sauce, which together bring a deep oceanic savoriness to every spoonful. The cheonggak seaweed contributes a firm, satisfying crunch that contrasts directly with the soft, mild tofu cubes. At 140 calories per bowl, the soup sits at the lighter end of Korean everyday cooking while still delivering genuine depth. The combination of sea vegetable, perilla oil, and fermented soy seasoning makes a broth that tastes cleaner and more mineral than standard vegetable soups.
Korean Kimchi Soy Milk Tantan Noodles
Kimchi duyu tantan myeon takes the structural logic of Chinese dandan noodles and rebuilds it around Korean pantry ingredients. Garlic and green onion are stir-fried in chili oil first to infuse the fat with fragrance, then ground pork goes in along with doenjang and soy sauce and stays on the heat until it browns and the fermented paste base deepens. Finely chopped kimchi is added and cooked for two more minutes, which softens the raw acidity of the kimchi and melds it into the meat mixture. Unsweetened soy milk is poured in at that point and heated gently, just below a boil, so it blends into a smooth, lightly creamy broth without breaking. The noodles are boiled separately and placed in the bowl before the broth is ladled over. Ground peanuts sprinkled on top at the end contribute a nutty finish, and the amount can be adjusted to thicken the broth to a preferred consistency.
Korean Fermented Soybean Soup
Cheonggukjang-guk is a soup where cheonggukjang -- a short-fermented soybean paste with an assertive, pungent aroma that distinguishes it from the milder doenjang -- is dissolved into anchovy-kelp stock and simmered with zucchini, onion, and tofu. The paste infuses the broth with a deep, earthy fermented quality that forms the core character of the soup. Zucchini and onion contribute natural sweetness that tempers the intensity of the fermented base, keeping the overall flavor approachable rather than overwhelming. Tofu is added partway through to absorb the broth without breaking apart, adding a soft textural contrast. Red chili flakes and sliced green onion go in at the end, lifting the finish with a gentle heat. Because cheonggukjang ferments faster and more aggressively than doenjang, its flavor is noticeably stronger -- starting with a smaller quantity and adjusting to taste is advised for first-time cooks.
About Soups
The secret to a great Korean soup lies in building a flavorful stock from anchovies, kelp, or beef bones. This collection covers classic and modern soup recipes you can recreate at home.