Yukejon – Korean Spicy Beef Soup (Quick Version)

This is a quick(er) version of a favorite Korean Spicy Beef Soup. Hot & spicy is great in either hot or cold weather.

Servings: 4

Cooking Times

Preparation Time: 1 hour

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

Meat Prep

1

pound

beef (Brisket, Flank Steak, or your favorite Soup cut)

1

tablespoon

sesame oil

1

tablespoon

soy sauce

3

cloves

fresh garlic

2

tablespoons

Korean coarse ground chili powder

Soup

8

cups

water OR 4 cups water and 4 cups beef broth (unsalted)

1/2

pound

bean sprouts

1/2

cup

gossari (fern sprouts/fern brakken – often labeled as fern brake in Korean stores) (may be available either fresh, packaged in water, or dried)

1

tablespoon

Korean fine ground chili powder

3

cloves

fresh garlic

salt

pepper

Optional

1

medium

white or yellow onion

2

fresh red chile peppers

2

green chili peppers

Garnish

2

green onions

Procedure

Preparation

Gossari 

If dried, reconstitute by soaking in cold water for at least one hour, then boil for 10 minutes. Discard boil water, drain, and rinse.

If fresh, wash well in cold water then boil for 20 to 30 minutes (until tender/crisp), discard water and rinse.

If packaged in water – Drain and rinse in cold water.

Meat

Soak beef in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess blood, drain and rinse.

Slice beef into about 2 inch by 1/8 inch strips, very lightly salt and let stand 10 minutes.

Mince or press garlic and divide into two even amounts.

Mix beef, sesame oil, soy sauce, 1/2 the garlic, and coarse chili powder together in a small bowl.

Rinse bean sprouts in cold water, removing root “tails” and any loose shells.

Optional

Cut onion in half from top to bottom, then slice each half into about 1/8 inch thick slices.

Slice peppers on a diagonal.

Garnish

Cut green onions on a diagonal in about 1 inch sections.

Cooking

Heat a large pot over high heat, add beef mixture, and sauté for 4-5 minutes.

Add water (water/broth) and bean sprouts and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Add gossari, fine red pepper, and remaining minced garlic, and cook for another 25 to 30 (or for 15 minutes, add optional ingredients, and cook another 10 to 15 minutes) minutes (until beef is tender).

Add green onions, salt and pepper to taste when served.