An introduction to the delicious world of korean soups & stews
Korean barbecue here at SURA Korean BBQ Restaurant may get all the attention — well deserved we might add, but soups and stews really take a considerable presence in Korean cuisine. No matter what else is on the dinner table, you’ll always find soups or stews, sometimes serving as a palate cleanser between bites of heavier dishes.
Stews — you’ll recognize them by the suffix “-jjigae” — are generally cooked quickly, bringing together a panopoly of ingredients, whereas Korean soups — with the suffix “-guk” or “-tang” — are brothy, spartan, and cooked for hours or even days. Both are meant to be eaten with steamed rice on the side. Simple soups are often offered alongside other main dishes. On the other hand, more complicated and hearty stews are sometimes shared communally on the table.
Many Korean soups have specific functions. Is the ground spinning because you drank too much last night? Try Spicy Beef Soup (Yukgaejang, 육개장). It is made with shredded beef with scallions and other ingredients, which are simmered together for a long time.
Feeling sniffly, like you’re about to get that cold that everyone gets in the middle of a hot summer? Kill two birds with one stone with a bowl of steaming Ginseng Chicken Soup (Samgyetang, 삼계탕). It is made with a whole young chicken stuffed with sweet rice slowly simmered in a broth of Korean ginseng, jujube fruits, garlic, and ginger, and it is meant to prevent illness and to promote sweating to cool the body!
Instead of relying on pure salt, the chefs are supposed to season these dishes with soy sauce, salted baby shrimp, fermented miso, dried anchovies, and fish sauce. Spicy heat comes in from hot pepper flakes, fresh hot peppers, dried hot red peppers, or Gochujang, a richly spicy, thick, and slightly sweet red pepper paste. The soup bases are made with beef, chicken, dried anchovy, or seafood.
Feel overwhelmed when you’re faced with the menu at SURA Korean BBQ Restaurant? Let’s get to know them:
- Ginseng Chicken Soup (삼계탕, 养生滋补童子鸡汤) – A whole young chicken stuffed with sweet rice slowly simmered in a broth of Korean ginseng, jujube fruits, garlic, and ginger; takes about twenty minutes to serve
- Spicy Chicken Stew (닭볶음탕, 传统秘制香辣焖锅鸡) – Braised chicken stew with potatoes and onions in spicy house special sauce
- Beef Short-Rib Soup (갈비탕, 浓香牛排汤) – Hearty beef soup with marinated beef short–ribs
- Spicy Beef Soup (육개장, 辣香牛肉汤) – Spicy beef soup with shredded beef with green onion, bean sprouts, and mushrooms
- Soft Tofu Soup (순두부찌개, 韓式香辣豆腐锅) – Nourishing Korean spicy soft tofu stew
- Kimchi Pork Soup (김치찌개, 辣香猪排豆腐锅) – Hearty and spicy kimchi stew with vegetables, diced tofu, and thinly sliced pork ribs
- Soy Bean Paste Soup (된장찌개, 正宗韓国大酱汤锅) – Bean paste stew with vegetables, diced tofu, korean chilli, and thinly sliced beef brisket
Here at SURA Korean BBQ Restaurant, we take pride in using only the freshest & the finest ingredients available to serve our outstanding customers with this delicious and healthy Korean foods. We look forward to serving you in the near future!
SURA Korean BBQ Restaurant Richmond
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SURA Korean Royal Court Cuisine:
2017 Best Korean winner of Georgia Straight 20th Annual Golden Plates
2016 Best Korean winner of Westender Best of the City Dining
2015 TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence
2014 Silver Korean winner of Vancouver Magazine’s Restaurant Awards
2013 Best Korean winner of Vancouver Magazine’s Restaurant Awards