Seaweed Soup (Miyeok Guk)

Fun fact! Seaweed soup or Miyeok Guk is also known as Korean birthday soup! 

Why? Koreans prepare this soup for mothers who've just had a baby. Seaweed contains a lot of iodine and iron which helps to replenish the loss of blood during childbirth. 

Traditionally, on each birthday, this soup is consumed, as a reminder to show respect to mothers. 

Serves 6

Prep time 30 min

Cook time 1 hour

1 package 50 gr dried seaweed (not to be confused with dried kelp which is used to make dashi)

10 oz beef, strip loin or flank steak, sliced thinly

2 tbsp fish sauce

2 tbsp soy sauce 

2 tbsp sesame oil

1 tbsp minced garlic
1 large onion, sliced (optional) 
1-2 cups beef stock (optional) 
1/2 tsp salt
water

Soak seaweed in water for 1hr or more and wash thoroughly for 2 to 3 times. 

Marinate the sliced beef with the minced garlic, 1 tbsp sesame oil and 1 tbsp soy sauce for 15 min.

In a large pot over medium heat, add 1 tbsp sesame oil and fry onions for 4-5 min. Stir in beef and cook for another 4 min, until it's almost cooked. Add seaweed, the fish sauce and 1 tbsp soy sauce and cook for a few minutes. 

Dried packaged seaweed

Add beef stock (if using) and fill the pot with water to 2/3 full. 

Simmer for 1hr. 

Add salt, taste and adjust.

Soaked seaweed

Thinly sliced beef