Spicy Kimchi Beef Tofu Soup
A nourishing, low-calorie Korean-inspired soup. Featuring savory beef, fermented kimchi, and silken tofu in a spicy, umami-rich broth.
Kimchi beef tofu soup is a beloved comfort dish that balances the tanginess of fermented kimchi with the savory depth of tender beef. This single-serving recipe is designed for a quick, flavorful meal that warms you from the inside out. With a broth built from Korean chili paste and aromatic aromatics, it is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can create complex flavors.
Ingredients
- 100 g thinly sliced beef
- 150 g fermented kimchi
- 1 block soft tofu
- 1/2 small onion
- 50 g yellow bean sprouts
- 50 g enoki mushrooms
- 1 tbsp Korean chili paste (gochujang)
- 1 tbsp Korean chili powder
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp beef bouillon powder
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 green chili
- 1 birds eye chili
- 1 stalk green onion
Instructions
- 1Sauté the onions
Add a small amount of sesame oil to a heated pan. Add the sliced red onions and sauté them until they soften and change color.
Tip: Sesame oil adds a fragrant nutty base to the dish. - 2Stir-fry the beef
Add the thin beef slices to the pan with the sautéed onions. Stir-fry together until the beef is browned.
Tip: Use high heat to sear the beef quickly for better texture. - 3Cook the kimchi
Add the kimchi to the pan and continue stir-frying with the beef and onions to meld the flavors.
Tip: Stir-frying the kimchi helps develop a deeper savory flavor in the soup base. - 4Season with chili
Add one spoonful of Korean chili paste (gochujang) and one spoonful of chili powder to the mixture, being careful to retain the kimchi juice.
Tip: Do not waste any of the kimchi juice, as it is key to the depth of the broth. - 5Add water
Pour a small bowl of water into the pan with the beef and kimchi mixture to create the soup base.
Tip: Use enough water to just cover the ingredients for a concentrated flavor. - 6Add vegetables
Once the broth is boiling, add the yellow bean sprouts and enoki mushrooms.
Tip: These vegetables cook quickly, so add them only once the broth is at a rolling boil. - 7Season the broth
Add the minced garlic, light soy sauce, and beef bouillon powder into the bubbling soup to build a rich, savory flavor base.
Tip: Adjust the soy sauce according to your taste preference, keeping in mind that the kimchi is already salty. - 8Add the soft tofu
Gently add the soft tofu into the pot. Let it simmer for two to three minutes to allow the tofu to absorb the flavors of the spicy broth.
Tip: Be careful when stirring after adding the tofu to prevent it from breaking apart too much.
