Dwen Jang Gook

Dive into the rich, earthy flavors of Dwen Jang Gook, a comforting Korean soybean paste soup that's both hearty and nutritious. This traditional dish starts with a simple dashima (dried kelp) broth, which sets the stage for a medley of wholesome ingredients like zucchini, potatoes, tofu, enoki mushrooms, and a savory punch of Korean soybean paste (dwen jang). Perfectly balanced with optional spicy Korean red pepper flakes and a touch of soy sauce, this recipe is a delightful blend of umami and spice. Ready in just 35 minutes, Dwen Jang Gook is the ideal choice for a quick dinner or an authentic addition to a Korean-inspired meal. Serve it hot with steamed rice and banchan side dishes for a soul-warming experience that celebrates the heart of Korean home cooking.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons Korean soybean paste (dwen jang)
• 5 cups Water
• 1 sheet (2-3 inches) Dashima (dried kelp)
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 0.5 medium Zucchini
• 1 medium Potato
• 0.5 medium Onion
• 100 grams Enoki mushrooms (or substitute with other mushrooms)
• 200 grams Firm tofu
• 1 teaspoon Korean red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
• 1 tablespoon Soy sauce (optional, for seasoning)
• 2 stalks Green onions

Directions

Step 1

In a medium-sized pot, add 5 cups of water and the sheet of dashima (dried kelp). Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes to make a simple broth. Remove the dashima and discard it.

Step 2

While the broth is simmering, mince the garlic, slice the zucchini and potato into bite-sized pieces, thinly slice the onion, and cut the tofu into small cubes.

Step 3

Once the dashima broth is ready, add 3 tablespoons of Korean soybean paste (dwen jang) into the broth. Stir and dissolve it completely into the liquid using a ladle or spoon.

Step 4

Add the garlic, potato, zucchini, and onion to the broth. Allow the vegetables to simmer on medium heat for about 10 minutes or until they are tender.

Step 5

Next, add the enoki mushrooms and tofu cubes into the soup and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 6

If you want some heat, stir in 1 teaspoon of Korean red pepper flakes. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed with soy sauce.

Step 7

Finally, finely chop the green onions and sprinkle them into the soup just before serving for freshness.

Step 8

Serve the Dwen Jang Gook hot with a bowl of steamed rice and side dishes (banchan) for an authentic Korean meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1930.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	586.0

Total Fat 19.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 4.5mg	0%
Sodium 4175.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 74.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.9g	0%
Total Sugars 19.3g
Protein 37.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 504.4mg	0%
Iron 7.5mg	0%
Potassium 1951.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 28.5%

Protein: 23.9%

Carbs: 47.6%