Korean Beef & Seaweed Soup: 소고기 미역국 (Recipe)

Hello all! Recently, I celebrated my boyfriend’s birthday. As a surprise, I decided to wake up early and prepare a traditional Korean birthday meal for him. It is a Korean tradition to have 미역국 (seaweed soup) on ones birthday. This tradition is one that literally stems from birth, as it is the first meal a mother is given after she gives birth. Seaweed soup is full of calcium and iodine, nutrients that are important for nursing mothers. So, having seaweed soup on ones birthday is a reminder of the first meal ones mother passes to them through her breast milk. It is also believed to bring the birthday boy or girl good luck for the rest of the year. I myself am not a huge fan of seaweed soup, but jazzed up with a bit of beef… I found it to be quite tasty. So whether you have a birthday coming up, or just want to warm up on a chilly day seaweed soup is the way to go. Below you’ll find my super easy recipe and step by step directions with pictures. If you have any questions or comments I’d love to hear from you. Enjoy!

What you’ll need:

1. Dried Seaweed
2. Beef
3. Water
4. Soup Soy Sauce
5. Sesame Oil
6. Minced Garlic
7. Black Pepper
8. Salt

Main

• 1/2 cup Dried Seaweed
• 1/2 cup Chopped Beef
• 3 cups Water

Meat Marinade

• 1 tbsp Soup Soy Sauce
• 1 tsp Sesame Oil
• Black Pepper

Soup Seasoning

• 1/2 tbsp Minced Garlic
• Salt
• 1/2 tbsp Sesame Oil
• 1/2 tbsp Soup Soy Sauce

Directions 

Place the 1/2 cup of dried seaweed in a bowl of water and allow to soak for about 10 min.

After 10 min, the seaweed will soften and expand to about 1 cup.

Remove the seaweed from the bowl, cut into small pieces and set aside.

Place 1/2 cup of chopped beef in a pan and add 1 tbsp of soup soy sauce, 1 tsp of sesame oil and a pinch of black pepper.

Fry beef on medium high until it is almost fully cooked.

Add the seaweed and 1/2 tbsp of sesame oil.

Fry the ingredients for about 3 min or until the beef is completely cooked.

Pour 3 cups of water into the pan and bring to a boil.

Once it begins to boil, add 1/2 tbsp of soup soy sauce and sprinkle in some salt to taste. Taste and adjust the flavor by adding more salt or soup soy sauce. Then, cook on medium high for 3 min.

Add 1/2 tbsp of minced garlic.

Cook for another 5 min and serve.