20 Korean Soup Recipes (2024)

A collection of 20 delicious and comforting Korean soups to help you stay warm and cozy on cold days!

20 Korean Soup Recipes (1)

The weather is getting quite cold around here! We all need more delicious warming soup recipes. For you Korean food lovers, I’ve collected my 20 most popular soup recipes here.

While these soups will definitely help you stay warm during cold days, soups are an essential part of Korean meals all year round. Some of these dishes are served as a main dish, and some are served to accompany other main dishes as part of a meal. This list includes many of the common soups (guk, 국) enjoyed in Korean homes. I’ll do a separate list for stews (jjigae, 찌개).

Some of you may wonder about the difference between Korean soups (guk) and stews (jjigae). In general, guk has a higher ratio of liquid to solid ingredients, resulting in a thinner consistency. Jjigae is thicker and has more concentrated flavors.

Although jjigae is commonly translated into stew in English, the consistency of Korean stews are quite different from that of Western stews. Korean stews still have relatively thin liquid (gukmul, 국물) with the consistency that’s similar to that of Western soups in some cases. I know this can be confusing. I’ve seen some people call certain Korean jjigae a soup. For example, kimchi jjigae is called kimchi soup by some people. There actually is a dish called kimchi guk (soup), which is different from kimchi jjigae (stew).

In Korean homes, guk is almost always served individually, andjjigae is usually served as a communal dish to be shared amongst the diners.

1. Dak Gomtang (Chicken Soup)

A soothing, comforting Korean chicken soup recipe you can make without a trip to a Korean market!20 Korean Soup Recipes (2)

2. Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup)

A nourishing soup that’s made with a small, young chicken for its tender and tasty meat. The ginseng flavored meat is tasty and tender, and the broth is rich and delicious!20 Korean Soup Recipes (3)

3. Seolleongtang (beef bone soup)

Your restaurant favorite made at home! A few dollars’ worth of beef bones make lots of rich and nourishing soup. Make it and freeze some for later.20 Korean Soup Recipes (4)

4. Yukgaejang (spicy beef soup with vegetables)

A hearty, spicy beef soup made with shredded beef, lots of scallions and other vegetables!20 Korean Soup Recipes (5)

5. Dakgaejang (Spicy Chicken Soup)

A hearty and spicy chicken soup with minimal ingredients! It takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish! Still flavorful and satisfying! Also seeSpicy soup with leftover turkey for a variation.20 Korean Soup Recipes (6)

6. Galbitang (Beef Short Rib Soup)

A hearty, nourishing beef short rib soup with the delicately clean taste it’s known for! Also see Instant Pot Galbitang.20 Korean Soup Recipes (7)

7. Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup)

A starchy and soothing bowl of soup! It’s classic comfort food any time of year! Also see tteokmanduguk if you want to add mandu (Korean dumplings).20 Korean Soup Recipes (8)

8. Manduguk (Dumpling Soup)

Make a delicious dumpling soup at home — with any variation of dumplings, including pre-made store-bought ones and any flavorful broth including store-bought.20 Korean Soup Recipes (9)

9. Miyeok Guk (Beef Seaweed Soup)

A staple soup made with miyeok (aka wakame) is delicious and nutritious!

20 Korean Soup Recipes (10)

10. Honghap Miyeok Guk (Seaweed soup with mussels)

A seafood variation of Korean seaweed soup. It’s made with mussels, but you can substitute them with other seafood such as clams or shrimp.20 Korean Soup Recipes (11)

11. Gamjaguk (Potato Soup)

A hearty Korean potato soup made with a few basic ingredients — beef, tofu and starch noodles! You can skip the noodles if unavailable. 20 Korean Soup Recipes (12)

12. Radish Soup (Muguk)

An easy soup made with Korean radish (mu)!20 Korean Soup Recipes (13)

13. Kongnamul Guk (Soybean Sprout Soup)

A light and refreshing soup with a subtle nutty flavor! It goes well with any Korean meal.

20 Korean Soup Recipes (14)

14. Kimchi Kongnamul Guk (Soybean Sprout Soup with Kimchi)

A variation of kongnamul guk (soybean sprout soup) that’s made with kimchi! It’s easy and refreshingly delicious with a nice spicy kick!20 Korean Soup Recipes (15)

15. Sigeumchi Doenjang Guk (Spinach SoyBean Paste Soup)

A light, refreshing soup that’s packed with savory flavors!

20 Korean Soup Recipes (16)

16. Baechu doenjang guk (cabbage soybean paste soup)

A classic soup made with napa cabbage and soybean paste!

20 Korean Soup Recipes (17)

17. Slow Cooker Chicken Soup with Napa Cabbage

An easy, delicious chicken soup with napa cabbage! Use a whole chicken cut up or any combination of chicken cut parts.20 Korean Soup Recipes (18)

18. Bukeoguk (Dried Pollock Soup)

Made with dried pollock (also spelled pollack), a rich source of proteins and amino acids, this soup is known to have detoxifying and soothing effects and very popular as a hang-over remedy in Korea.20 Korean Soup Recipes (19)

19. Eomuk guk (fish cake soup)

An easy home version of the popular street food!

20 Korean Soup Recipes (20)

20. Mu Doenjang guk (soybean paste radish soup)

A light, refreshing and vegan soup made with Korean radish!20 Korean Soup Recipes (21)

For more Korean cooking inspirations, follow along on YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

20 Korean Soup Recipes (22)

20 Korean Soup Recipes

4.86 from 7 votes

Soup Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • Visit the links provided above for the ingredients for each soup.

Instructions

  • Click the links provided in the list for the full recipes.

Tried this recipe?Mention @koreanbapsang or tag #koreanbapsang!

This post is an update of the November 2020 collection with more soup recipes and updated photos from some of the soup recipes.

You may also like:

  • Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup)
  • Kongbiji Jjigae (Ground Soybean Stew)
  • Kongnamul Japchae (Soybean Sprout Japchae)
  • Tofu Bibimbap (Vegan Bibimbap)
20 Korean Soup Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the famous soup in Korea? ›

Kimchi Soup with Canned Tuna

What is Kimchi Soup Kimchi soup (kimchi guk, 김치국) is a staple Korean soup made with kimchi. The name of kimchi soup can vary based on other ingredients you put in the soup. Today's kimchi soup recipe includes canned tuna, making this soup's name tuna kimchi soup (chamchi …

How many types of Korean soups are there? ›

Soups in Korea can be largely categorized into four categories: guk, tang, jjigae and jeongol. The categories are based on the different methods in which the soups are prepared and how they are served and eaten at the table. Guk – The native Korean word for soup.

What are the different types of Korean noodle soups? ›

In Korea, traditional noodle dishes are onmyeon (beef broth-based noodle soup), called guksu jangguk (noodles with a hot clear broth), naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles), bibim guksu (cold noodle dish mixed with vegetables), kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), kongguksu (noodles with a cold soybean broth) among others.

What is the soup for sick people in Korea? ›

Galbitang, a Korean soup made from simmering beef ribs, is the perfect dish if you're suffering from a cold or allergies that have your nose and sinuses clogged up.

What is the No 1 soup in the world? ›

According to the Taste Atlas Awards, the international food database, the Filipino favorite, Sinigang, is hailed as the best soup in the world.

What is the national soup of Korea? ›

is a hearty full of flavour spicy soup best taken while. its bubbling hot and pair with our white rice to help. balance out the heat.

What soup do Koreans eat? ›

At a macro level, Korean soups can be generally divided into four categories: guk, tang, jjigae and jeongol. Guk refers to brothy soups, where the liquid outweighs the soup's other ingredients, like miyeokguk and dukguk. Usually, guk is served as individual portions.

What soup do Koreans eat for breakfast? ›

Soups and stews: Koreans often enjoy soups and stews for breakfast. This might include haejangguk, considered to be a hangover cure, which consists of pork, cabbage, coagulated ox blood, and vegetables in beef broth, or galbitang, which is a thick soup made from short ribs.

What soup do Koreans eat on their birthday? ›

Miyeok-guk (미역국) (also rendered as miyuk guk) or seaweed soup is a non-spicy Korean soup whose main ingredient is miyeok, or seaweed. It is traditionally eaten as a birthday breakfast in honor of one's mother and by women who have given birth for several months postpartum.

What is a Korean clear soup called? ›

Tteokguk (rice cake soup) is a delicious, filling soup made of disc-shaped rice cakes in a clear broth. Koreans always eat it on Seollal (Korean New Year's Day), the first day of the Lunar calendar and one of the most important holidays in Korea.

What is the most popular noodle soup in Korea? ›

Jjamppong

Jjamppong is made using a spicy seafood (or sometimes pork) broth with a lot of gochugaru (Korean red chilli) powder. Jjamppong often includes ingredients like onions, garlic, zucchini, carrots, cabbages, squid, mussels, and pork. It is definitely one of the most popular Korean noodles among Koreans.

What soup makes you a year older in Korea? ›

The dish consists of the broth/soup (guk) with thinly sliced rice cakes (tteok). It is tradition to eat tteokguk on New Year's Day because it is believed to grant the people good luck for the year and gain a year of age.

Do Koreans eat soup everyday? ›

Soups are a common part of any Korean meal. Unlike other cultures, in Korean culture, soup is served as part of the main course rather than at the beginning or the end of the meal, as an accompaniment to rice along with other banchan. Soups known as guk are often made with meats, shellfish and vegetables.

What is the best Korean soup for stomach aches? ›

Nowadays, it is common to find chicken, beef, abalone, mushrooms, seafood and many other ingredients in jook! Porridge is the perfect food to eat when you have a stomachache as it replaces liquids lost. Ginseng chicken soup, also known as samgyetang (삼계탕), is made by cooking a small chicken in a broth.

What is the best Korean soup for stomach flu? ›

In the U.S., my mom has brought thermoses to the hospital filled with this soup to my aunts after childbirth — and I am sure she's not the only Korean immigrant who's done this. Jook (죽), rice porridge: You could compare jook to chicken noodle soup. It's a Korean staple for the sick, especially those with stomachaches.

Is soup popular in Korea? ›

While these soups will definitely help you stay warm during cold days, soups are an essential part of Korean meals all year round. Some of these dishes are served as a main dish, and some are served to accompany other main dishes as part of a meal.

What soup do Koreans drink on their birthday? ›

Miyeokguk is a soup made of edible seaweed and is traditionally eaten on birthdays or after giving birth, although you can eat anytime you like.

Is Gukbap healthy? ›

Gukbap is a flavorful and healthy soup with rice that will fill you up. This recipe can be made right in your food jar, or you can prep the ingredients on the stovetop too!

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