🇰🇷 A super detailed cooking guide for Kelp Soup (Miyeokguk 미역국)🌊

Hey hey! I'm back again! This time I want to share with you this legendary soup that Koreans must drink on their birthdays - Kelp soup ! Fans of Korean dramas have undoubtedly seen the main character's family prepare seaweed soup for their birthdays. It's actually a very meaningful traditional Korean culture! 😍 I've researched and found the most authentic recipe, and I'm sharing it with you today, along with the cultural background!

🤱 The cultural significance of Korean kelp soup

In Korea, kelp soup means "Thank you, Mom!" (Thank you, Mom!) Because kelp is rich in nutrients and especially good for postpartum nourishment, Koreans drink kelp soup on their birthdays to commemorate their mothers' hard work in giving birth! So touching! 🥺✨

🛒 Encyclopedia of required ingredients

🌊 Protagonist Kelp Series

• Korean Dried Kelp (미역) 30-35g (I hope you can buy Korean brands, the quality is far inferior!)🌿

• Kelp sprouts (for soup) 1 small handful (about the size of your palm)💚

• clear water 1.5-1.8 liters💧

🥩 Protein choice (choose one from three)

1. Sliced/shredded beef 150-200g (most traditional)🐄

2. Pork Belly Hot Pot Slices 100g (homemade version)🐷

3. Dried fish 8-10 pieces (seafood version)🐟

4. Shrimp 6-8 pieces (rich version)🦐

5. clams 12-15 pieces (Umami version)🐚

🧄 Seasoning Group

• Garlic 4-6 cloves (pressed into puree)🧄

• Korean sesame oil 2-3 tablespoons (this is the soul!)🫒

• Soy sauce for soup 1 tablespoon (if you don’t have it, you can use light soy sauce) 🥢

• fish sauce 1 teaspoon (for flavor, salt can be used instead)🐟

• Salt Season to taste🧂

• White pepper A little bit ⚪

🥬 Side dish choice (optional)

• Tofu Half a box (cut into pieces)🧈

• egg 1 egg (beaten into egg drop)🥚

• Scallions 2-3 chopped green onions🌱

• White sesame seeds For decoration 🤍

• Dried shiitake mushrooms 2-3 pieces (sliced, optional)🍄

👨🍳 Super detailed cooking process

🌊 Stage 1: Kelp processing (the most critical!)

1. Kelp hair magic 💫

   • Soak the dried kelp in room temperature water for 10-15 minutes

   • **Editor's Tip:** Don't soak for too long! Any longer than 30 minutes will cause the nutrients to be lost!

   • After soaking, the kelp will expand 5-8 times, which is exaggerated!

   • Rub gently with your hands 2-3 times to remove surface impurities

2. Kelp Cutting Tips ✂️

   • Drain the soaked kelp and tear or cut it into bite-sized pieces by hand.

   • The length should be about 3-5cm. If it is too big, it will affect the taste.

   • **Important:** Be sure to squeeze out all the water, otherwise the oil will splash when frying!

🔥 Stage 2: Stir-frying the kelp (key step!)

3. Sauté sesame oil 🌟

   • Heat Korean sesame oil over medium-low heat (this step is super important!)

   • When the oil is hot, add minced garlic and sauté until golden brown

   • If you smell the garlic, it means it’s ok!

4. Stir-fry kelp 🍃

   • Add the squeezed kelp and stir-fry over medium heat for 1-2 minutes

   • **The editor discovered: **This step is the essence of the Korean method!

   • Stir-fried kelp will release more flavor and give the soup a more layered texture.

   • It is OK when the kelp becomes soft and darker in color

🥩 Phase 3: Protein Processing

5. Meat processing 🍖

   • **If using beef/pork:** Add directly to the kelp and stir-fry until it changes color

   • **If using dried fish:** First, dry-fry to remove the fishy smell, then add kelp

   • **If using seafood:** Add it last to avoid overcooking

🍲 Stage 4: Cooking the Soup (Done!)

6. Add water to boil soup 💧

   • Add 1.5 liters of water and bring to a boil over high heat

   • Bring to a boil, then turn to medium-low heat, cover and simmer for 15-30 minutes

   • **Editor's Tip:** If you want a thicker soup, cook it longer; if you want a lighter soup, cook it shorter.

7. Seasoned to perfection 🧂

   • Add soy sauce to soup to enhance color and flavor

   • Season with fish sauce or salt (add slowly and taste)

   • Finally, sprinkle a little white pepper

8. Perfect ending ✨

   • If adding tofu, cook for 5 minutes.

   • If you want egg flowers, slowly pour in the egg liquid in circles

   • Finally, sprinkle with chopped green onions and white sesame seeds for decoration

🍽️ Authentic Korean Food Guide

📋 Traditional cooking methods

• Koreans eat it with rice or drink the soup directly🍚

• On your birthday, you must drink the first drink on an empty stomach in the morning🌅

• Can be served with kimchi, pickled radish and other side dishes🥒

🎂 Birthday Special Edition

• I will cook something extra rich on my birthday, with more seafood 🦐

• The family will gather together to drink and express their gratitude to mom👪

💡 Editor's exclusive secrets

🎯 Key to Success

1. **Seaweed quality: **Must buy Korean imported ones, the taste and texture are far different! 🌿

2. **Stir-frying steps:** Please don’t skip the stir-frying of kelp, it is the essence of Korean cooking! 🔥

3. **Amount of sesame oil: **Don't be stingy, Korean sesame oil is the soul of this soup! 🫒

4. **Heat control:** Use medium heat to stir-fry kelp and low heat to cook soup, so as not to destroy the nutrients⚡

🌟 Editor's Tips

• ** Adjust the intensity: ** If you like a strong flavor, cook it longer; if you like a lighter flavor, cook it shorter.

• **Seafood version:** Add seafood in the last 5 minutes to avoid overcooking🦐

• **Vegetarian Version:** Use kelp broth instead of meat, just as delicious! 🌱

• **Storage method:** Can be divided and frozen, then thawed when you want to drink❄️

🥄 Recommended variants

🦐 Deluxe Seafood Edition

• Add shrimp, clams, and scallops for a seafood feast!

• Remember to add seafood last and cook for 2-3 minutes.

🍄 Vegetarian Nutrition Edition

• Add mushrooms, tofu, and corn kernels

• Use kelp flakes instead of dried fish as soup base

👶 Confinement Version

• Add more ginger slices to dispel cold

• Beef provides a rich source of iron

🏥 Nutritional value and efficacy

Kelp is rich in iodine, calcium, iron and vitamins, which help:

• **Replenishing blood and beauty:** Especially suitable for female friends💄

• **Promote metabolism:** Iodine helps thyroid function⚡

• **Lower cholesterol: **Dietary fiber helps cleanse the stomach🌿

• **Enhance immunity: **Various minerals enhance immunity💪

**Note:** Those with thyroid problems should drink in moderation!

📸 Editor's experience

The first time I made it, I thought it was simple, but I didn't realize the stir-frying step is so crucial! Unstir-fried kelp soup feels like drinking seawater. 😂 After learning how to make it, my friends say it's better than at Korean restaurants! Now I make it for every friend's birthday; it's such a meaningful experience!

Remember to tag us in a photo if you try it! Follow us for more Korean food! I'll share other traditional Korean soups with you next time! 🤳✨

#KoreanCooking #SeaweedSoup #미역국 #생일축하 #KoreanCulture #Editor's Recipe