Description
This Tasty Korean Winter Soup, also known as Galbitang, is a comforting, hearty broth made by simmering beef short ribs with aromatics and vegetables. Perfect for cold days, this traditional Korean soup features tender meat falling off the bone and a clear, flavorful broth enhanced by radish, ginger, garlic, and green onions.
Ingredients
Meat and Broth Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs beef short ribs
- 10 cups water
- 1 whole yellow onion, with skin (preferably organic)
- 2 green onions or 1 Korean leek (for broth)
- 2 thick slices ginger
- 3-4 dried or fresh green onion roots (optional)
- 1/2 medium radish, quartered and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce for soup (guk ganjang)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
Topping Ingredients
- 2 green onions or 1 Korean leek, sliced for topping
- 2 tablespoons chopped garlic or 5-6 whole garlic cloves
Instructions
- Prepare the broth: In a large pot, combine the beef short ribs, 10 cups of water, whole yellow onion with skin, 2 green onions or a Korean leek, 2 slices of ginger, and optionally the green onion roots. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Simmer: Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer gently for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes, skimming off any foam or impurities from the surface to keep the broth clear.
- Add radish and garlic: Add the quartered and sliced radish along with the chopped garlic or whole cloves to the pot. Continue simmering for another 15-20 minutes until the radish is tender and flavors meld.
- Season the soup: Stir in 1 tablespoon of soy sauce (guk ganjang) and 1 1/2 teaspoons of sea salt. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Prepare garnish: Meanwhile, slice 2 green onions or a Korean leek for topping.
- Serve: Remove the yellow onion and any large ginger pieces from the broth. Ladle the soup into serving bowls, sprinkle the sliced green onions on top, and serve hot.
Notes
- Skimming the broth regularly helps to keep the soup clear and improves flavor.
- You can substitute beef short ribs with brisket if preferred, but short ribs deliver richer flavor.
- If Korean leek is unavailable, use green onions as an alternative.
- Guk ganjang is a traditional Korean soup soy sauce that adds authentic taste; regular soy sauce may alter the flavor slightly.
- This soup can be paired with steamed rice and kimchi for a classic Korean meal.
