Korean Shepherd's Purse Clam Soup
Quick answer
- Total time
- 33 min
- Level
- Easy
- Servings
- 4 servings
- Ingredients
- 8
About this dish
Naengi-bajirak-guk is a Korean spring soup that brings together shepherd's purse and clams in a clear broth.
Read more
The clams go in first, opening their shells and releasing a briny, savory liquor that forms the backbone of the soup. Cubed tofu simmers alongside, absorbing the surrounding flavor while contributing a soft texture. Shepherd's purse is added only in the final minutes to preserve its distinctive earthy fragrance; overcooking flattens the aroma that defines the herb's character. Soup soy sauce and garlic provide restrained seasoning, letting the natural salinity of the clams and the grassy scent of the naengi carry through. Before cooking, the shepherd's purse requires thorough rinsing since its roots hold grit, and the clams need to be purged in salted water so the broth stays clear and clean. On Korean spring tables, this soup is one of the first signs that the cold season has passed and the mountain greens have returned.
Ingredients
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Instructions
Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.
- 1Season
Purge 500 g clams in salted water until the grit settles, then rinse them several times under clean water.
Discard cracked clams or any that smell off before they go into the pot.
- 2Prep
Rub the roots of 120 g shepherd's purse under water to remove trapped soil, then cut it into 4 cm lengths.
Cut 180 g firm tofu into large pieces and slice the green onion on the diagonal.
- 3Control
Pour 1400 ml water into a pot and bring it to a strong boil over high heat.
Add the clams, reduce to medium-high heat, and skim off foam so the broth stays clear.
- 4Season
When the clams open, add 1 teaspoon minced garlic and 1 tablespoon soup soy sauce.
Remove any clams that stay closed so they do not make the broth bitter.
- 5Control
Add the tofu and simmer over medium heat for about 3 minutes, until the broth returns to a gentle bubble.
Stir as little as possible so the tofu keeps its shape.
- 6Finish
Add the shepherd's purse and green onion, then cook only 2 more minutes to keep the color and aroma bright.
Season with 0.4 teaspoon salt, taste the broth, and serve while hot.
Practical Cooking Checks
The cues that matter most while cooking.
- Key technique
- Seasonal spring pairing of shepherd's purse and briny clams.
- Finish cue
- Add the shepherd's purse and green onion, then cook only 2 more minutes to keep the color and aroma bright.
- Avoid this
- Discard unopened clams to avoid bitterness.
Cooking decision evidence
Calculated Charim data and applicable official cooking and food safety guidance.
This recipe
33min, 8 ingredients
Category median
45min, 8 ingredients
Based on 310 recipes
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