When it’s cold outside, skewered eomuk (어묵) simmered in a light savory broth is hugely popular at street food carts and stalls in Korea. Eomuk (aka odeng, 오뎅) is processed fish cake made with pureed fish and other ingredients. It’s a common ingredient used in various Korean dishes such as gimbap and eomuk bokkeum. The street version of eomuk guk (soup) is conveniently served on long skewers with the hot broth served separately in a cup. At home, eomuk guk can be prepared without skewers as an easy everyday soup!
This dish originates from the iconic Japanese dish called “oden” which is a stew made with fish cakes and many other delicacies. The Korean version is much simpler, made mostly with fish cakes and radish. Oddly enough, Koreans call fish cakes “odeng” not the dish itself.
As mentioned in my eomuk bokkeum, Busan, a southern coastal city, is most famous for delicious eomuk. Outside Korea, you can find fish cakes made in Busan in the frozen section of Korean markets. Eomuk comes in many shapes and sizes. You can use any type for this recipe. I like to use a combination of different types for varying shapes and textures. Simply cut them into bite sizes if necessary.
A simple anchovy broth is all you need for this soup. You can of course use more complex broth if you like. See my How to Make Anchovy Stock for options. But, let me tell you my secret ingredient — a dried or fresh hot chili pepper when making the broth. It’ll make the broth taste really good, giving a subtle spicy kick to the broth while reducing that oily taste of the fish cakes.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces eomuk fish cake
- 8 ounces Korean radish mu
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon soup soy sauce
- 1 scallion roughly chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- 8 cups anchovy broth made with 1 optional dried or red chili pepper - See anchovy broth for the recipe.
Instructions
- Make 8 cups of anchovy broth with the optional chili pepper.
- Cut the fish cakes into bite size pieces.
- Cut the radish into about 1 to 1-1/2 inch-thin squares.
- Quickly blanch the fish cakes in boiling water to remove excess oil, and then drain.
- Add the radish slices to the broth, and boil until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, and season with the soy sauce.
- Drop the fish cake in, and boil for a few more minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Drop the scallion in before turning off the heat.
Blazer says
Thank you for this recipe. I enjoyed this soup so much when I flew business class on Korea Air earlier this month and they served this soup. Your recipe tastes just like I remember it. I made this today for lunch and it is so good and easy to make. What a great soup to have during the cold days of winter.
Hyosun says
Oh happy to hear that! It really is warming and comforting! Thank you for sharing your experiences with the dish!
Marianela says
I am latina and my husband is South Korean. We live in the US. He is very picky about food but everytime I make one of your recipes, he loves the meal! Needless to say, I use your recipes on a daily basis! thank you.
Hyosun says
Oh that’s great to hear!! Thank you for letting me know!
Mary says
Hi Hyosun,
We don’t have Korean radish. What would be a good substitute?
Hyosun says
Potatoes will be good. Enjoy!
Neeraja says
Hi! Can this dish be made using chicken broth instead?
Hyosun says
Of course! Enjoy!
Nikole says
Hello, Hyosun! Thank you so much for your lovely blog and all your great recipes–my family has really enjoyed them! I was wondering- what kind of red pepper do you use for the broth? Would a jalapeno pepper work?
Hyosun says
Yes any spicy pepper will work. Enjoy!