Yeolmu (Young Radish) Doenjang Guk (Soybean Paste Soup) Kit
A doenjang guk kit that tastes even better when stored frozen.
📝 Editor's Notes
Sesame Seed Yeolmu Namul (깨소금 열무나물), with its delightful crunch, is a recipe that allows you to enjoy the fresh, inherent flavor of yeolmu without complex seasonings.
It has a unique texture, somewhere between spinach namul and kimchi, characterized by the refreshing moisture of yeolmu filling your mouth with every bite.
Simple ingredients and preparation make it easy for even beginner cooks, and it's perfect for preparing a healthy and delicious meal in a busy daily life.
It's especially ideal when you want to savor the freshness of seasonal yeolmu, or when you crave a clean and light side dish.
It also works wonderfully as an appetite-stimulating side dish in hot summers and pairs well with other mild Korean side dishes.
🛒 Ingredient Tips
The freshness of yeolmu (young radish), the star of this recipe, is paramount.
When choosing yeolmu, select those with vibrant green, unwilted leaves and stalks that are not too thick; overly thick stalks can be stringy.
Roots that are moderately plump with few fine rootlets are preferred.
For sesame seeds, roasted ones enhance the nutty flavor, but roasting raw sesame seeds yourself will yield a much richer aroma.
Yeondu (연두) is a key seasoning that adds a clean and deep umami flavor without overpowering the natural taste of the ingredients, making it perfect for yeolmu namul.
When selecting a good yeondu, check the ingredient list to choose a product with fewer unnecessary additives.
🔄 Substitution Guide
If yeolmu is difficult to find or you wish to use other vegetables, you can substitute with spinach, baby greens, or blanched bean sprouts.
Spinach or baby greens offer a similar tenderness to yeolmu, but may lack yeolmu's characteristic crisp texture.
Bean sprouts can provide crunch, but will differ from yeolmu's slightly bitter yet refreshing taste.
Instead of yeondu, you can season with guk-ganjang (국간장) (Korean soy sauce for soup) or salt, but you might miss the clean and deep umami flavor that yeondu provides.
If using guk-ganjang, the color may become a bit darker.
If using only salt, the seasoning might feel bland, so it's a good idea to add a little minced garlic or sesame oil to enhance the flavor.
🥘 Ingredients
👨🍳 Cooking Points
Sesame Seed Yeolmu Namul may seem simple, but remembering a few key points will make it even more delicious.
First, blanching the yeolmu is crucial.
Blanching too long will make it mushy, while under-blanching can leave a raw taste.
Add yeolmu to boiling water with a pinch of salt and blanch for only about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
It's done when the yeolmu turns a vibrant green and the stalks soften slightly.
After blanching, immediately rinse the yeolmu in cold water to cool it down and squeeze out excess water to maintain its crisp texture.
Second, make sure to grind the sesame seeds.
Ground sesame seeds release a much stronger nutty aroma and flavor than whole ones, blending better with the namul.
Third, simple seasonings like yeondu and ground sesame seeds are sufficient.
Excessive seasoning can mask the authentic taste of yeolmu, so adjust the seasoning based on the amounts suggested in the recipe.
👨🍳 Directions
Cut off the radish root part of the yeolmu (young radish) to use for other side dishes, and cut about 1.1 lb (500g) of the yeolmu stalks into bite-sized pieces.
Add 1 tsp of salt to boiling water, then first blanch the thicker yeolmu stalks for about 30 seconds.
Add the tender yeolmu leaves and blanch them together. Drain and rinse in cold water.
There's no need to squeeze out all the water (the moisture helps it detach from the container easily when frozen).
Divide the blanched yeolmu into 4 containers (approx. 1.25 cups / 300ml each). Add 1/2 tbsp of doenjang (된장) to each container (per 2 servings), using a total of 2 tbsp of doenjang.
Place one Haetongnyeong Yuksu Ring (해통령 육수링) (broth tablet) on top of the doenjang in each container to complete the kit.
Close the lids of the 1.25-cup (300ml) containers and store them in the freezer. Consume within 3 months.
To cook, add 1.25 cups (300ml) of water to a prepared kit and bring to a boil for a hearty breakfast.
💡 Tips
Use the radish root part of the yeolmu for other side dishes.
It's more convenient to label the kit containers with the amount of water needed for cooking.
On busy mornings, you can cook a delicious soup perfect for mixing with rice in just 3 minutes, without needing to prepare ingredients or make broth.
This soup kit is especially convenient for preparing breakfast.
📦 Storage & Reuse
To keep your finished Sesame Seed Yeolmu Namul fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The recommended storage period is 2-3 days.
Since yeolmu namul has a high moisture content, it may soften or its taste may change if stored for too long, so it's best to consume it as soon as possible.
Freezing is not recommended as it can alter the texture of the namul.
If you have leftover yeolmu namul, you can enjoy it mixed with warm rice and sesame oil as bibimbap, or use it as an ingredient for gimbap (김밥).
To reheat, gently microwave for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, or lightly sauté in a pan over low heat.
Be careful not to overheat, as it can make the texture tough.
🥢 Who This Is For
This Sesame Seed Yeolmu Namul is recommended for anyone who prefers a clean and light flavor.
It's an excellent dish for the whole family, from children to seniors, to enjoy together.
Its mild taste makes it suitable for breakfast and it pairs wonderfully with main courses.
It's also great mixed with warm rice, or served alongside meat dishes to cut through richness.
Pairing it with savory stews like doenjang-jjigae (된장찌개) or kimchi-jjigae (김치찌개) can complete a well-balanced meal.
🔥 Nutrition Info
Based on one serving of Sesame Seed Yeolmu Namul (approx.
100g blanched yeolmu, 1 tbsp yeondu, approx.
5g ground sesame seeds), the estimated calorie count is very low, around 60-80 kcal.
You can expect about 3-5g of protein, 4-6g of fat, and 5-7g of carbohydrates.
Notably, yeolmu is rich in various vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, C, calcium, and potassium.
Vitamin A is beneficial for eye health, and Vitamin C helps boost immunity.
Sesame seeds are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and dietary fiber, contributing to improved cholesterol levels and gut health, and also contain lignans, which are antioxidants.
Overall, it is a healthy side dish with low calories and good nutritional balance.
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