Naengi Doenjang Guk (Shepherd's Purse Soybean Paste Soup) with Perilla
A soybean paste soup made with fragrant spring shepherd's purse and tofu in anchovy broth, enriched with nutty perilla seed powder.
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 2-serving soup combines doenjang dissolved in anchovy broth with fragrant spring shepherd's purse and tender tofu. Brought to a quick boil rather than simmered long, it is finished with a touch of perilla seed powder for a rich, nutty flavor. Mild and gentle on the stomach, it makes an easy addition to a busy morning meal.
- Servings
- 2 servings
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Spiciness
- Not spicy
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Shepherd's purse (naengi)1 handful, 100 g
- Tofu1/4 block, 100 g
- Large green onion (daepa)1/3 stalk
- Anchovy broth4 cups
Seasoning
- Doenjang (Korean soybean paste)1 tbsp
- Soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang)1 tbsp
- Minced garlic1 tsp
- Perilla seed powder2 tbsp
- Enoki mushrooms or zucchini also make great additions.
- Trim away any yellowed leaves from the shepherd's purse, and scrape off any dirt between the leaves and the roots with a knife. Wash several times until the water runs clear, then cut into bite-sized lengths.
Steps
Prepare the shepherd's purse
It smells wonderful and tastes delicious, but shepherd's purse does require a bit of cleaning.
Trim away any yellowed leaves, and scrape off any dirt between the leaves and the roots with a knife.
Wash several times until the water runs clear, then cut into bite-sized lengths.
Cut the remaining ingredients
Cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes.
Thinly slice the large green onion.
Boil the soup
Add 1 tbsp of doenjang (Korean soybean paste) to 4 cups of anchovy broth and bring to a rolling boil.
I used homemade doenjang, but if you use store-bought doenjang, adding about half a tablespoon more to the 1 tbsp should be about right.
Add the shepherd's purse, tofu, and 1 tsp of minced garlic...
Add 1 tbsp of soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang) and the large green onion, then bring to a rolling boil.
Since these ingredients do not need to cook long, once it comes to a brisk boil, taste the broth and adjust with salt if it tastes flat.
At the end, add 2 tbsp of perilla seed powder, and once it boils up, turn off the heat.
Perilla seed powder pairs wonderfully with doenjang soup, so I added some; just keep the amount light enough not to overpower the fragrance of the shepherd's purse.
If you prefer not to use it, you can leave it out.
Ppunwife's tips
- I used homemade doenjang, but if you use store-bought doenjang, adding about half a tablespoon more to the 1 tbsp should be about right.
- Perilla seed powder pairs wonderfully with doenjang soup, so I added some; just keep the amount light enough not to overpower the fragrance of the shepherd's purse. If you prefer not to use it, you can leave it out.
FAQ
What should I do if I use store-bought doenjang instead of homemade?
Store-bought doenjang can differ in saltiness from homemade, so adding about half a tablespoon more to the 1 tbsp is usually about right to season the soup.
Is the perilla seed powder required?
It is added for a rich, nutty flavor, so if you prefer to enjoy only the natural aroma of the shepherd's purse or simply do not care for it, you can omit it.
Can I add other ingredients besides shepherd's purse?
Along with tofu and green onion, enoki mushrooms or zucchini make great complementary additions.
How do I clean muddy shepherd's purse?
Pluck off yellowed leaves, scrape away any dirt between the leaves and roots using a knife, rinse multiple times until the water runs clear, and cut into bite-sized lengths.
