Description
Mandu Guk is a traditional Korean dumpling soup featuring tender beef simmered in a flavorful broth, complemented by savory mandu dumplings and garnished with green onions, eggs, and toasted sesame oil. This comforting dish is perfect for a satisfying meal that warms the soul.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Broth
- 1 pound beef brisket or chuck, cut into 1- to 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 10 cups water
Dumplings and Garnishes
- 32 homemade or store-bought mandu (Korean dumplings), fresh or frozen
- 2 large eggs
- 4 green onions, trimmed and cut diagonally into 2-inch slices
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon white or black pepper, plus more to taste
- 2 roasted nori (seaweed sheets), for serving
Instructions
- Season the beef: In a medium bowl, combine the brisket pieces with minced garlic and soy sauce. Mix well and let the beef marinate briefly while preparing the broth.
- Make the beef soup base: In a large pot over high heat, bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Add the marinated beef along with its marinade. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 30 to 35 minutes until the beef is tender and the broth is flavorful.
- Add the mandu: Carefully place the mandu dumplings into the simmering broth. Increase the heat to bring the soup back to a low boil. Cook the dumplings until the wrappers turn translucent and they float to the surface; fresh mandu will take 5 to 9 minutes, frozen mandu around 12 minutes. Follow package instructions if using store-bought mandu.
- Add eggs: Lightly whisk the eggs in a small bowl until fully combined. Slowly drizzle the eggs into the soup while gently stirring to create delicate egg ribbons throughout the broth, avoiding lumps or clumps.
- Add the green onions and sesame oil: Turn off the heat and stir in the sliced green onions and toasted sesame oil. Season the soup with salt and pepper, adjusting to your taste preferences.
- Serve the soup: Ladle the mandu and broth into individual bowls. Crumble or cut the roasted nori seaweed into thin strips and sprinkle over each serving for added texture and flavor. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Mandu Guk can be made easily with either homemade or store-bought dumplings, making it a versatile and convenient meal option.
- Adjust seasoning such as salt and pepper at the end to suit your taste.
- If you prefer a richer broth, you can simmer the beef longer for more depth of flavor.
- Keep stirring gently when adding eggs to avoid creating large egg lumps.
- Use freshly toasted sesame oil for the best nutty aroma and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 717 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 2222 mg
- Fat: 46 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg
