Buchu Doenjang Guk (Soybean Paste Soup with Chives)
A refreshing doenjang soup made by dissolving soybean paste in anchovy broth and simmering it with hard clam and garlic chives.
Translated from Korean by AI and not yet checked by a native speaker. Amounts and numbers are taken directly from the original recipe. Read the Korean original →
This is a soup dish made by dissolving doenjang in anchovy broth and bringing it to a brief boil with hard clam and garlic chives. The clam infuses the broth, making it both refreshing and deeply savory, making it perfect for breakfast or as a hangover cure. It can be prepared lightly in under 20 minutes.
- Servings
- 2–3 servings
- Cook time
- 20 minprep not included
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Spiciness
- Mildly spicy
Ingredients
- Hard clam1
- Garlic chives (buchu)1 handful
- Red chili pepper1
- Commercial doenjang (Korean soybean paste)1 tbsp
- Minced garlic1 tsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)1 tsp
- Salta little
- Anchovy broth4 cups
- Prepare 1 if large, or 2 if small.
- You can also use shrimp, squid, or other types of clams instead of hard clam.
- If you like it spicy, use Cheongyang chili pepper instead of red chili pepper.
- If using homemade doenjang, reduce the amount by half.
Steps
1. This is cleaned hard clam meat. You need 1 if it is large, or prepare 2 if small.
You can also use shrimp, squid, or other types of clams.
Cut a handful of garlic chives into 2 to 3 pieces, and slice 1 red chili pepper diagonally. If you like it spicy, you can replace it with Cheongyang chili pepper.
2. Strain 1 tbsp of doenjang through a sieve into 4 cups of anchovy broth to dissolve it.
I used mild, less salty commercial doenjang. If you are using homemade doenjang, reducing the amount by half should work well.
3. Once the broth boils, add the hard clam meat, garlic chives, red chili pepper, and minced garlic, and bring to a brief boil.
4. Add gochugaru to taste, and adjust the seasoning with salt to finish.
Ppunwife's tips
- Straining the doenjang through a sieve into the anchovy broth makes the soup smoother.
- Garlic chives taste twice as good when eaten with seafood, and they pair especially well when cooked in doenjang soup.
FAQ
Can I use other seafood instead of hard clam?
You can cook this using shrimp, squid, or other types of clams.
How do I adjust the amount when using homemade doenjang instead of commercial doenjang?
Homemade doenjang can be quite salty, so it is best to reduce the amount to about half of the commercial doenjang portion.
What should I add to make the soup spicy?
You can enjoy it spicy by adding diagonally sliced Cheongyang chili pepper instead of red chili pepper and adding gochugaru to taste.
