Eomuk Tang

어묵탕

(Fish Cake Stew)

Eomuk tang originated from the odeng of Japan. It is a popular dish to eat when the weather gets cold because it warms the body. Aside from being a dish cooked at home, it is also sold in food carts on the streets. Soju and ttopokki go well with this snack. For Koreans, it is considered as a comfort food; before Cindy heads out for her next schedule in the drama The Producers,14 Joon Mo insists on buying eomuk tang and kimbap for her because she seems overworked and has not eaten proper meals in a while.

14 The Producers, directed by Soo Min Seo and Min Soo Pyo, written by Ji Eun Park and Ji Sun Kim, starring Tae Hyun Cha and Hyo Jin Gong (2015; Seoul: KBS), Netflix.

MAIN INGREDIENTs

• 300 grams fish cakes
• 10 centimeters green onion
• 200 grams white radish

Seasonings

• 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons anchovy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cooking wine
• a little salt and pepper
• leeks

DIPPING SAUCE

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon chopped green onions
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 piece green chili (optional)
• a little chili powder (optional)

BROTH INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 liters water
• 1/2 piece onion
• 1 stalk green onion
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1 piece dried red chili
• 1/2 teaspoon whole pepper
• 20 grams dried anchovies
• 3 sheets kelp

HOW TO prepare

1. Slice fish cakes into big bite-sized pieces and skewer them.
2. Slice green onion thinly
3. Mix dipping sauce ingredients altogether. Set aside.

HOW TO COOK

1. In a pot, boil broth ingredients together with radish for 20 minutes.
2. After 20 minutes of boiling, take all solid ingredients out of the broth.
3. Season broth with all seasoning ingredients; season with salt and pepper according to taste.
4. Cut cooked radish into flat bite-sized squares.
5. Add in fish cake skewers and radish.
6. Boil for 5 to 10 minutes over medium heat.
7. Add leeks and turn heat off.
8. Serve fish cake stew with the dipping sauce.

chef’s notes

1. Outside or as a streetfood, this recipe is served through a stick but inside the house, it is served in a bowl. Both have the same taste, just presented differently.
2. You can enjoy a richer taste by adding clams, crabs, and shrimps to the broth.

 

This Dish Appears in the Following Korean Drama/s:

• The Producers (2015) - KBS

  AND VARIETY SHOW/s:

• The Return of Superman (2013-present) - KBS
• Soo Mi’s Side Dishes (2018-present) - TVN

   

 

CHEF REGGIE’S TIPS

SUBSTITUTES

• Use an assortment of balls—fish, squid, shrimp, taro—in place of fish cakes. Skewer them. The different colors of the balls add character and visual appeal to this stew. My favorite supplier for fish cakes and balls is Big Thumb Frozen Balls. Big Thumb makes high-quality seafood balls. For orders and inquiries, call 88520272 or 88435565.