Street Style Fish Cake Soup Recipe and Fish Cake Dipping Sauce
A recipe to easily recreate the deep and refreshing taste of street style fish cake soup at home. We introduce a special tip for infusing daikon radish flavor, the golden ratio for the broth seasoning, and the know-how for making a delicious fish cake dipping sauce.
A street-style fish cake soup (Eomuk-tang) with an exceptionally deep and refreshing broth.
📝 Editor's Notes
This Eomuk Ganjang (fish cake soy sauce) recipe is a magical dipping sauce that elevates the flavor of Eomuk-tang (fish cake soup).
The deep savoriness of soy sauce, subtle sweetness of mirin, refreshing tang of vinegar, and the fresh aroma and spiciness of garlic, green onion, and Cheongyang chili pepper (청양고추) combine to create a complex umami experience.
It's incredibly simple to make, allowing even beginner cooks to prepare delicious Eomuk Ganjang without fail.
Paired with warm Eomuk-tang on a chilly day, it makes for a comforting and satisfying meal that warms both body and soul.
This sauce is key to recreating the nostalgic taste of street vendor Eomuk-tang right at home.
🛒 Ingredient Tips
The key ingredients that determine the flavor of this Eomuk Ganjang are soy sauce (Jin Ganjang, 진간장), mirin, and Cheongyang chili pepper (청양고추).
Jin Ganjang offers a deeper and richer flavor than regular soy sauce, so it's recommended to choose a high-quality brewed soy sauce or Jin Ganjang.
Mirin adds sweetness and gloss, and helps to remove unwanted odors; among commercially available mirin, we recommend choosing a product with less artificial sweetness and a pleasant fermented aroma.
For the Cheongyang chili pepper (청양고추), select fresh, firm, and glossy peppers to fully enjoy their spicy and clean taste.
Avoid those that are too soft or discolored.
🔄 Substitution Guide
If mirin is unavailable, you can add 2 tbsp of cheongju (Korean rice wine) or soju, and then add about 1/2 tbsp more sugar to compensate for the sweetness.
However, the unique umami and glossy finish characteristic of mirin might be somewhat lacking.
If Cheongyang chili pepper (청양고추) feels too spicy or is hard to find, you can mince regular green chili peppers or increase the amount of gochugaru (고춧가루, Korean chili powder) from 1/2 tbsp to 1 tbsp to adjust the spiciness.
However, the refreshing and pungent taste of fresh chili might be slightly reduced.
Instead of minced green onion, you can use chives, and if neither is available, finely minced onion can be used, though it will differ from the fragrant notes of green onion or chives.
🥘 Ingredients
👨🍳 Cooking Points
The most crucial cooking point when making Eomuk Ganjang is to mix it thoroughly until the sugar is completely dissolved.
If sugar granules remain, the sauce's flavor can be inconsistent and unpleasant in the mouth, so stir it to the bottom with a spoon or small whisk.
The second point is to use fresh aromatic vegetables like minced garlic, green onion, and Cheongyang chili pepper (청양고추), chopped just before use.
Chopping them in advance can cause the aroma to dissipate, so chopping them right before making the sauce will result in a more fragrant and flavorful ganjang.
Finally, after mixing all ingredients, it's essential to taste and adjust the spiciness or sweetness according to your preference.
👨🍳 Directions
Fold the fish cakes into thirds and skewer them.
Split 1/2 stalk of green onion lengthwise, then cut into pieces about two finger-widths long.
Cut 1 Cheongyang chili pepper (청양고추) into 3 large pieces.
Place 3-4 slices of Korean radish (mu, 무) on a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave for 2 minutes.
Arrange the skewered fish cakes, sliced green onion, Cheongyang chili pepper (청양고추), and microwaved Korean radish (mu, 무) nicely in a hot pot.
Pour 3½ cups (800ml) of water into the pot, then add 1-2 pieces of dried kelp (dashima, 다시마) or 1/2 tbsp of dried seaweed (miyeok, 미역).
Add 1/2 tbsp Dashida (다시다), 1 tbsp soy sauce (Jin Ganjang, 진간장), 1/2 tbsp minced garlic, black pepper to taste, 1/3 tbsp Miwon (미원), and 1/2 tbsp Hondashi (ほんだし) to the pot, cover, and bring to a boil.
Once the broth boils, continue to simmer for another 3-4 minutes to allow the fish cakes to release their flavor.
💡 Tips
When skewering the fish cakes, fold them into thirds to ensure a pretty shape and prevent them from unraveling.
Microwaving the Korean radish (mu, 무) for 2 minutes before adding it helps to quickly and intensely extract its flavor into the broth.
If dried kelp (dashima, 다시마) is unavailable, you can substitute with 1/2 tbsp of dried seaweed (miyeok, 미역) to achieve a refreshing and deep flavor.
Adding Miwon (미원) and Hondashi (ほんだし) helps to replicate the deep and refreshing broth flavor characteristic of street-style fish cake soup.
📦 Storage & Reuse
Store the prepared Eomuk Ganjang in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Since it contains fresh green onion, garlic, and Cheongyang chili pepper (청양고추), it's best to consume it as soon as possible, ideally within 3-5 days.
The fresh aroma of the ingredients may diminish and the taste may change with longer storage.
Leftover ganjang can be used beyond Eomuk-tang, such as a seasoning for boiled eggs, pan-fried tofu, or simple stir-fried vegetables.
Freezing is not recommended as it can alter the texture and aroma of the fresh vegetables.
🥢 Who This Is For
This Eomuk Ganjang is best enjoyed with warm Eomuk-tang.
Especially when served alongside a spicy and refreshing Eomuk-tang, it truly enhances the flavor of the fish cakes.
It is more recommended for adults who enjoy spicy flavors rather than children.
Serving it with Eomuk-tang for guests will make your table setting stand out with thoughtful care.
Beyond Eomuk-tang, it also pairs wonderfully as a dipping sauce for various pan-fried dishes like mandu (dumplings), kimchi jeon (kimchi pancake), or haemul pajeon (seafood green onion pancake), as well as fried foods.
🔥 Nutrition Info
Based on one tablespoon (approx.
15-20g) of this Eomuk Ganjang, the estimated calorie content is around 20-30 kcal.
Carbohydrates primarily come from soy sauce (Jin Ganjang, 진간장), mirin, and sugar, while protein and fat content are very low.
Sodium content is relatively high due to the soy sauce, so it's advisable not to consume it excessively.
Minced garlic and green onion provide small amounts of allicin and vitamins C and K, while Cheongyang chili pepper (청양고추) contains capsaicin and vitamin C, which can help boost immunity and provide antioxidant benefits.
Enjoy it deliciously, but it's recommended to consume in moderation considering sodium intake.
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