Easy Korean Winter Soup Recipes
This cozy Korean-style kimchi tofu soup is spicy, comforting, and ready fast. Perfect for chilly nights with a bowl of rice.
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Servings:
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp neutral oil such as avocado or canola
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 3 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 tsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru) reduce for milder heat
- 1.5 tbsp gochujang chili paste
- 1.75 cup chopped napa kimchi well-fermented for best flavor
- 0.5 cup kimchi brine
- 2 cup sliced daikon radish about 1/2-inch pieces
- 4.5 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth use veggie broth to keep it vegan
- 1.5 cup sliced mushrooms shiitake or cremini
- 14 oz soft or medium tofu, cubed
- 1.5 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp sugar balances acidity
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 0.5 tsp fine sea salt to taste
- 0.25 tsp ground black pepper
- 0.5 cup thinly sliced scallions plus extra for garnish
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Heat the oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
- Sauté the onion until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Toast the gochugaru and gochujang in the pot, stirring for 1 minute.
- Add the kimchi and daikon and cook 3 minutes to soften slightly.
- Pour in the kimchi brine and broth and bring to a boil.
- Season with soy sauce and sugar, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer 12 to 15 minutes, until the daikon is tender.
- Slide in the mushrooms and tofu and simmer 5 minutes more.
- Finish with sesame oil and most of the scallions. Taste, then add salt and pepper.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with the remaining scallions. Serve hot.
Notes
Variation: Add thin-sliced pork belly, canned tuna, or a handful of udon noodles. Swap soft tofu for firm if you prefer more bite.
Serving/Storage: Serve with hot steamed rice. Refrigerate up to 3 days; reheat gently. For best texture, add fresh tofu when reheating or freeze the broth base (without tofu) for up to 2 months.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Easy Korean Winter Soup Recipes flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.