Korean Radish Soup (Mu Guk) Recipe
This comforting Korean Radish Soup (Mu Guk) features tender daikon radish simmered in a delicate broth infused with kombu and dried shiitake mushrooms. Enhanced with sesame oil, green onions, and gluten-free soy sauce, this light and flavorful soup is perfect for a soothing meal. It can be optionally garnished with sesame seeds and fresh green onions to add texture and freshness.
- Author: Anna
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups Korean radish (daikon), peeled and diced into triangle shapes
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 6 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 post-it note sized piece of kelp/dashi kombu
- 1 dried shiitake mushroom
- 3 green onions, sliced diagonally
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 tbsp gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1 tsp salt (more to taste)
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
Optional Garnishes
- Vegan “beef” alternative
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- Fresh green onion, sliced
- Prepare the radish: Peel the Korean radish and slice it, then dice the slices into triangle shapes to create uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Sauté radish and green onions: Heat a pot over medium-high heat, add the sesame oil, and sauté the radish pieces for 2-3 minutes until they become more translucent. Then add the sliced green onions and continue to sauté for a few more minutes until fragrant.
- Add kombu, shiitake, garlic and broth: Place the piece of kombu, dried shiitake mushroom, and minced garlic into the pot. Pour in the water or vegetable broth, then bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the soup: Once boiling, reduce the heat to let the soup simmer gently for 12-15 minutes, or until the radish is tender and has absorbed the flavors.
- Season the soup: Add the gluten-free soy sauce (or coconut aminos), salt to taste, and white pepper. Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 3 minutes to blend all the flavors together.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds, extra white or black pepper if desired, and freshly sliced green onions. Optionally, add a vegan “beef” alternative for extra protein and texture.
Notes
- For a richer broth, use vegetable broth instead of water.
- Adjust soy sauce quantity based on your salt preference and dietary needs.
- To keep the soup vegan and gluten free, ensure the soy sauce or coconut aminos fit these criteria.
- Remove the kombu before serving to avoid overly strong seaweed flavor.
- Optional vegan “beef” alternatives can be sautéed separately and added as a topping.
- The soup is naturally low calorie and light, perfect for a comforting meal.
Keywords: Korean Radish Soup, Mu Guk, Korean Soup, Daikon Soup, Gluten Free Soup, Vegan Korean Soup, Comfort Food