Sigeumchi Doenjang Guk

시금치국

(Spinach with Soybean Paste Soup)

Sigeumchi doenjang guk is a popular dish on Korean dinner tables because spinach is a common vegetable in Korea. It has a light taste that can complement any other dish. This dish is especially enjoyable to eat during spring. In an episode of Boarding House in Spain,10 actors Cha Seung Won, Yoo Hae Jin, and Bae Jung Nam serve sigeumchi doenjang guk to the guests staying in their hostel.

10 Boarding House in Spain, directed by Young Seok Na, starring Seung Won Cha and Jung Nam Bae and Hae Jin Yoo (2019; Seoul: TVN), Viu.

MAIN INGREDIENTs

• 250 grams spinach
• 20 grams dried anchovies
• 8 cups water
• 1 sheet kelp

SEASONINGs

• 10 centimeters green onion, white part
• 3 tablespoons soybean paste
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili powder

HOW TO Prepare

1. Trim spinach clean and wash with cold water. Cut them into 2-inch long pieces.
2. Slice green onion diagonally.
3. In a pan, toast dried anchovies over low heat, stirring constantly until fragrant.

HOW TO COOK

1. Put 8 cups of water, anchovies, and kelp in a pot.
2. Simmer over medium heat. When water starts to boil, remove kelp. Continue to simmer the broth for 20 minutes. Strain out the anchovies.
3. Add soybean paste, minced garlic, and fish sauce into the anchovy stock.
4. Add spinach and boil for 20 minutes over medium heat.
5. Add in green onion and boil another 5 minutes more.

chef’s notes

1. When toasting the anchovies, you’ll know it’s time to stop when it starts to smoke a little.
2. Toasted anchovies can keep in the refrigerator for a long time.
3. Do not boil the kelp for too long for it will release its slime which you do not want. If you soak the kelp in water for 30 minutes before cooking and use it as broth, then there’s no need to boil the kelp as stated in procedure numbers 1 and 2.
4. Spinach may be replaced by watercress, kangkong, napa cabbage or bean sprouts.
5. For the broth, you can replace anchovies with beef, dried shrimps, or clams.

 

This Dish Appears in the Following Korean Variety show/s:

• Boarding House in Spain (2019) - TVN

   

 

CHEF REGGIE’S TIPS

ADD-ONS

• To make this soup ultra healthy, combine our super nutritious native leafy greens such as malunggay, chili leaves, sweet potato tops, kangkong tops, alugbati, and kolitis or amaranth. You may put a little of each of the veggies mentioned or a combination of at least 3.