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완성된 Spicy Bean Sprout Soup (Kongnamul Guk) - 콩나물국은 매운 황태 육수에 시원하고 개운한 맛이 일품

Making Spicy Bean Sprout Soup and Dried Pollock Broth Recipe

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📺 YouTube⏱ 10분📋 2 recipes✍️ Editor Reviewed
✍️ I Love Recipe Editorial Team··Updated: Jul 6, 2026

A recipe for refreshing and spicy bean sprout soup (kongnamul-guk) and flavorful dried pollock broth (hwangtae yuksu), easy to make at home.

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10분

A recipe for a spicy and refreshing kongnamul guk (콩나물국), perfect as a hangover remedy.

📝 Editor's Notes

This Hwangtae (황태) broth recipe is the fundamental base responsible for the deep flavors of various Korean dishes, including spicy and refreshing kongnamul guk (콩나물국).

The savory and cool umami flavor from the dried pollock heads is exquisite, and since it only requires boiling ingredients without complex techniques, it's an 'easy' level that even beginners can try.

It's especially perfect as a hangover soup or on chilly days when you crave warm soup, and it will elevate the flavor of any soup dish, such as kimchi jjigae (김치찌개) or doenjang jjigae (된장찌개).

It will be the start of hearty soup dishes that the whole family will love.

🛒 Ingredient Tips

When selecting Hwangtae (황태) heads, which are crucial for the broth's flavor, it's important to choose clean and well-dried ones.

Avoid those that are too yellowish or moldy, and ensure there's no fishy smell.

Good Hwangtae (황태) heads provide a savory and deep flavor.

For onions, choose firm ones with shiny skin and a noticeable weight, indicating freshness.

Select smooth ones without sprouts or soft spots.

For green onions, choose those with vibrant green leaves and firm white stalks that aren't wilted, as they will add a fresh aroma to the broth.

For dried kelp (dashima / 다시마), good quality ones are thick, distinctly black, and have a natural white powdery coating.

🔄 Substitution Guide

If Hwangtae (황태) heads are unavailable, you can use dried shredded pollock (bukeo-chae / 북어채), dried anchovies for broth, or dried shrimp.

Bukeo-chae (북어채) offers a similar savory and refreshing taste to Hwangtae (황태) heads, though the broth's depth might be slightly lighter.

Dried anchovies and dried shrimp are typical Korean broth ingredients, providing a different savory umami flavor than Hwangtae (황태).

In this case, remove the guts from the anchovies and shrimp, then lightly stir-fry them in a dry pan to remove any fishy odor before use, which will result in a cleaner broth.

Dried kelp (dashima / 다시마) is an important ingredient for adding umami to the broth, but if it's hard to find, you can use mushrooms like shiitake or king oyster mushrooms, which have a mild flavor, to supplement the subtle umami.

However, please remember that the taste may differ slightly from the unique refreshing and clean taste of dashima (다시마).

🥘 Ingredients

Bean sprouts (kongnamul / 콩나물)
a standard bag (approx. 8 oz / 225g)
Hwangtae (황태) broth (pre-made)
to taste
Purified water
2cup
Coarse salt
1tbsp
Soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang / 국간장)
1tbsp
Korean chili powder (gochugaru / 고춧가루)
1tbsp
MSG (Miwon / 미원)
2 dashes
Minced garlic
1tsp
Salt
1tsp
Chopped green onions
for garnish, to taste

👨‍🍳 Cooking Points

The key to this broth lies in 'time' and the 'timing of adding dashima (다시마)'.

The first point is to sufficiently boil the Hwangtae (황태) heads, onion, and green onions over high heat for 1 hour to extract a deep flavor.

If the heat is too low, the flavors of the ingredients won't properly develop, so make sure it's boiling vigorously.

The second point is when to add the dashima (다시마).

If you boil it with other ingredients from the beginning, a bitter taste might develop.

Therefore, it's crucial to steep it in the hot broth for only about 30 minutes after turning off the heat, just to extract its umami.

This small difference determines the broth's cleanliness and depth.

Finally, when straining the broth, don't forget to be careful not to mix in any sand or impurities settled at the bottom.

👨‍🍳 Directions

1

Pour the Hwangtae (황태) broth into a pot and mix with 2 cups (500 ml) of purified water to prepare the soup base.

2

Add all of the bean sprouts (a standard bag, approx. 8 oz / 225g) to the prepared broth.

3

Season the broth with 1 tbsp of coarse salt and 1 tbsp of soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang / 국간장).

4

Close the lid and bring to a rolling boil over high heat for 10 minutes.

5

After 10 minutes, add 1 tbsp of Korean chili powder (gochugaru / 고춧가루) and 2 dashes of MSG (Miwon / 미원).

6

Add 1 tsp of minced garlic and mix well.

7

Taste and adjust seasoning with an additional 1 tsp of salt, or to your preference.

8

Turn off the heat and add the chopped green onions. Your Spicy Bean Sprout Soup is now complete.

💡 Tips

If you add gochugaru (고춧가루) from the start, its aroma and color might fade. It's best to add it after boiling the bean sprouts for 10 minutes.

Season the kongnamul guk (콩나물국) primarily with sea salt and guk-ganjang (국간장). If needed, you can supplement the seasoning with tuna sauce (chamchi-aekjeot / 참치액젓), MSG (Miwon / 미원), or clam-flavored seasoning (jogae dasida / 조개 다시다).

Add the chopped green onions after turning off the heat to preserve their aroma and crisp texture.

📦 Storage & Reuse

Once prepared, cool the Hwangtae (황태) broth and store it in an airtight container or zipper bag in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

If you wish to store it longer, portion it into single-use amounts and freeze.

Freezing it in an ice cube tray is convenient for taking out cubes as needed, and it's very useful when you don't have time to make broth from scratch.

It can be stored frozen for up to 1-2 months.

When reheating the broth, it's best to simmer it gently over medium-low heat rather than strong heat.

Leftover broth can also be used as a base for stir-fries or braised dishes to enhance their flavor.

🥢 Who This Is For

This Hwangtae (황태) broth has a refreshing and clean taste that the whole family can enjoy.

It's especially excellent as a hangover soup when you feel unwell after a night of heavy drinking.

It's also a great choice on chilly days when you crave a warm soup, or when preparing a hearty meal without many side dishes.

Beyond kongnamul guk (콩나물국), kimchi jjigae (김치찌개), or doenjang jjigae (된장찌개), it adds a deep flavor to mild dishes like steamed egg (gyeran-jjim / 계란찜) or braised tofu (dubu-jorim / 두부조림).

We highly recommend it to homemakers as preparing a generous batch in advance allows you to quickly make delicious meals even during busy days.

🔥 Nutrition Info

As this Hwangtae (황태) broth is essentially water infused with ingredients, the estimated calorie count for a single serving (approx.

10 oz / 300ml) is very low, around 10-20 kcal.

Protein content is minimal, approximately 1g, derived from the Hwangtae (황태) heads, and there is almost no fat or carbohydrates.

However, low calories don't mean a lack of nutrients.

Hwangtae (황태) is rich in protein and essential amino acids like methionine and lysine, which can aid in fatigue recovery and liver health.

Additionally, iodine and minerals extracted from dashima (다시마) promote metabolism, and the antioxidant compounds from onions and green onions infuse into the broth, adding a healthy umami flavor.

This nutritious broth can be enjoyed without burden by those on a diet or pursuing a healthy eating plan.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What ingredients do I need for Making Spicy Bean Sprout Soup and Dried Pollock Broth?
Main ingredients include Bean sprouts (kongnamul), Prepared dried pollock broth (hwangtae yuksu), Purified water, Coarse salt, Korean soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang). For this recipe, it's crucial to choose fresh bean sprouts (kongnamul), the star ingredient. Look for sprouts with roots that aren't too long, plump stalks, and no mushy spots. Dried pollock broth (hwangtae yuksu) is a key ingredient that adds depth to the soup's flavor and can shorten cooking time if prepared in advance. If hwangtae yuksu isn't available, anchovy-kelp broth (myeolchi-dasima yuksu) is a good alternative. Korean chili powder (gochugaru) is important for both spice and color; add it towards the end of cooking to prevent its aroma from dissipating. Coarse salt and Korean soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang) are essential for balancing the seasoning, so be sure to have them ready.
Q. What are the key tips for making Making Spicy Bean Sprout Soup and Dried Pollock Broth?
The most crucial point in this bean sprout soup (kongnamul-guk) recipe is the timing of adding Korean chili powder (gochugaru). You should add it after boiling the bean sprouts vigorously for 10 minutes to preserve its spicy aroma and vibrant color. Adding it from the start can cause the aroma to dissipate, so please remember this. Also, boiling the bean sprouts with the lid closed is important, as it helps remove any raw bean sprout smell and maintains their crisp texture. Finally, turn off the heat and then add the chopped scallions. This allows you to enjoy their fresh aroma and crispness. If you follow these tips, you'll be able to make delicious bean sprout soup without fail.
Q. How should I store leftover Making Spicy Bean Sprout Soup and Dried Pollock Broth?
While spicy bean sprout soup (kongnamul-guk) is best enjoyed immediately after preparation, leftovers can be refrigerated. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. When reheating, it's best to bring it to a boil again and serve it warm. Be careful not to overcook the bean sprouts, as they can become mushy. Freezing is not recommended as it can compromise the texture of the bean sprouts. It's best to cook only the amount you plan to consume at one time.
Q. How many calories are in Making Spicy Bean Sprout Soup and Dried Pollock Broth?
Bean sprouts (kongnamul) are rich in asparagine, making them excellent for relieving hangovers. They are also high in vitamin C, which helps reduce fatigue and boost immunity. Furthermore, their high fiber content is beneficial for gut health. Dried pollock (hwangtae) is an excellent ingredient for health, being rich in protein and low in fat. Garlic and scallions contribute to antibacterial activity and immune system enhancement, while the capsaicin in Korean chili powder (gochugaru) helps boost metabolism. Overall, this is a healthy soup dish that is low in calories yet well-balanced nutritionally. It's particularly good for hangovers and a light meal, so it's recommended to enjoy it often.
Q. Can I substitute ingredients in Making Spicy Bean Sprout Soup and Dried Pollock Broth?
If dried pollock broth (hwangtae yuksu) is unavailable, you can use anchovy-kelp broth (myeolchi-dasima yuksu) for a delicious alternative. Infuse anchovies and kelp together to enhance the umami flavor. If you prefer less spice, reduce the amount of Korean chili powder (gochugaru) or omit it entirely for a clear bean sprout soup. In this case, seasoning with salted shrimp (saeujeot) can give it an even more refreshing and clean taste. If you want to add umami instead of MSG (Miwon), try using tuna sauce (chamchi-aekjeot) or clam seasoning (jogae-dasida). Just a drop or two can significantly enhance the soup's flavor. If you don't have chopped scallions, thinly sliced green onions will work fine. You can also add other vegetables (such as radish or mushrooms) according to your preference for a richer flavor.

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