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Chicken Noodle Soup (Dak Kalguksu)
Dak Kalguksu, a popular Korean Chicken Noodle Soup, combines tender chicken and fresh noodles in a flavorful broth. It's the perfect choice for a hearty, satisfying meal. So, what are we waiting for? Let's make it!
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 5 mins
Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 695 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Korean
Ingredients
SOUP BASE
- 1 kg chicken backs (chicken frames), (2.2 pounds)
- 110 g onion (3.9 ounce)
- 50 g green onion (1.8 ounce), white part
- 15 g garlic cloves (0.5 ounce)
- 50 g dried anchovies (1.8 ounce)
- 1/2 tsp whole black peppers
- 12 cups water
MAIN
- 1 kg chicken drumsticks (2.2 pounds)
- 300 g little neck clams (10.6 ounce), rinsed
- 400 g Kalguksu noodles (or udon noodles, *see above for more options), (14.1 ounce)
- 1 tsp Korean soup soy sauce or regular kikkoman soy sauce
- 3/4 tsp fine sea salt , or to your taste
TOPPING (OPTIONAL)
- 30 g green onion (1 ounce), thinly sliced
SEASONING SAUCE (OPTIONAL)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce , regular (I use kikkoman brand.)
- 1 Tbsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru)
- 1/2 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp green onion , thinly sliced
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Place the chicken backs in a large pot along with the other soup base ingredients and water. To make the removal process easier later on, you may want to consider using a stock bag, also known as a soup sock, which is typically made of fine mesh or cheesecloth. This bag can hold all the solid soup base ingredients. If your bag isn’t spacious enough to contain all the ingredients, prioritize enclosing the anchovies, garlic, and black pepper. These elements can be more challenging to remove later, so it’s best to ensure they are securely contained within the bag. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, which should take around 25 minutes. Once the water is boiling, carefully add the chicken drumsticks to the pot. Maintain the heat and let them cook for an additional 25 minutes.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and let the broth simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Skim off any fat or scum that floats to the surface of the broth to ensure a clear soup.
- Remove the soup base ingredients from the broth. Set the chicken drumsticks aside in a separate bowl and allow them to cool down. Once cooled, debone and skin the drumsticks, tearing the meat into bite-sized pieces.
- In another large pot, add the broth back and bring it to a boil. Then, add little neck clams, Korean soup soy sauce, and season with salt.
- Rinse the kalguksu noodles under cold running water briefly to remove excess starch. Then, add these noodles to the boiling broth and cook them over medium heat until they are fully cooked, about 3-5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the optional seasoning sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Serve the soup piping hot, garnished with the prepared chicken pieces and green onions. Enjoy the chicken noodle soup as it is, or enhance its flavor by adding the prepared seasoning sauce.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- 1 Tbsp = 15 ml, 1 Cup = 250 ml
- If you’re interested in learning more about Korean ingredients, check out my essential list of Korean cooking ingredients.
Nutrition Information
Calories
695kcal
(35%)
Carbohydrates
78g
(26%)
Protein
52g
(104%)
Fat
20g
(31%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
4g
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
165mg
(55%)
Sodium
2797mg
(117%)
Potassium
626mg
(18%)
Fiber
8g
(32%)
Sugar
13g
(26%)
Vitamin A
928IU
(19%)
Vitamin C
8mg
(9%)
Calcium
103mg
(10%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 695
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 695kcal | 35% |
| Carbohydrates | 78g | 26% |
| Protein | 52g | 104% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 165mg | 55% |
| Sodium | 2797mg | 117% |
| Potassium | 626mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 8g | 32% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 928IU | 19% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 103mg | 10% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.