Bukeoguk (북어국) is a soup made with dried pollock (also spelled pollack). Depending on the process used to dry the fish, dried pollock is usually called bukeo (북어)or hwangtae (황태). You can use either one for this soup.
Dried pollock keeps well for a long time and can be rehydrated very quickly by soaking it in warm water. Keep a bag of shredded bukeo (or hwangtae) in your pantry. It comes in handy for a quick soup or side dish.
Dried pollock is a rich source of proteins and amino acids and is known to have detoxifying and soothing effects. This explains why bukeoguk is very popular as a hang-over remedy in Korea. The unique flavor of the dried fish makes the soup very flavorful but not fishy.
Despite the simplicity of the dish, bukeoguk (with tofu) was one of the elaborate menu items served to President Obama at his luncheon with the South Korean President, Lee Myong-bak, during his visit to Seoul in 2009.
The soaked pollock is firstsautéed in sesame oil. This step helps bring out the flavor of the dried fish and makes the soup taste richer.
You can make it simply with eggs and scallions, but it’s very common to add Korean radish, potatoes, soybean sprouts, and/or tofu. Bukeoguk is a quick and easy soup that’s perfect for cold winter days!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dried pollock bukeo/hwangtae strips - 1 cup packed after being soaked and squeezed
- 1 medium potato or equal amount of Korean radish
- 6 ounces tofu
- 2 scallions
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon soup soy sauce - gukganjang
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse and soak the dried pollock strips in warm water until softened, about 20 minutes. Drain, reserving the soaking water. Lightly squeeze out the water, and tear the strips into bite size pieces.
- Cut the potato in half lengthwise, and slice into half-moon shapes. Cut tofu into 1/2-inch thick bite size pieces. Cut the scallions into 1-inch lengths.
- In a heated medium pot, sauté the pollock in the sesame oil (about 2 to 3 minutes) over medium high heat. Lightly season with salt. (If using Korean radish, sauté it with the pollock.)
- Add 6 cups of water, including the water used to soak the pollock, and soy sauce to the pot. Bring it to a boil, covered, and continue to boil for 7 to 8 minutes. Add the potatoes, tofu, and garlic.
- Cook until potatoes are cooked, about 5 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to medium low, drop the scallions in, and gently drizzle the beaten egg over the boiling soup right before turning the heat off.
Susan says
I’m wondering whether I can use ox bone broth instead of water?
Hyosun says
You can, but this is a clear soup that you can enjoy the refreshing taste of the pollock.
Reuben says
Can I freeze this soup for batch cooking?
Hyosun says
Yes you can, but the tofu texture may change – chewier and not as soft.
Clara says
An oldie but goodie as the saying goes. Had to make an emergency soup tonight and I had everything handy. My children have been having this favourite recipe for over 6 years now. Thanks again. Your recipes are so easy. They had this and myeolchi bukkeum tonight. I am quite happy Korean food is still their favourite style of cooking even though we are not living there.
Kun says
Thank you for this recipe! A family member purchased a giant gift set of dried pollock and had no idea what do with it. They thought it was for snacking lol. I remember watching a bunch of Korean variety shows and some of the guests used pollock in their cooking and immediately started searching up recipes on google.
Hyosun says
oh yes this soup is very popular in Korea, especially as a hangover soup.
Joe says
Thank you for the recipe! I bought a gift box of dried pollock from Costco and wasn’t sure what to do with it. I loved the subtle flavors of the soup. I substituted parsnips for the radish/potato, and I thought it was delicious. And I will eat leftovers with nurungji as suggested by Jen!
Hyosun says
Awesome! Glad to hear you’re making a good use out of it.
Jen says
Thank you so much for the recipe – it came out deliciously! I also added nurungji (누룽지) to the soup and it was so cozy for a fall day.
Jean Kim says
So delicious! I leave out the tofu just because that’s how my halmuni made it and it tastes just like home Thank you for the recipe!
Hyosun says
That’s great! Can’t beat halmuni’s food!
Mic says
I made this last weekend and both my husband and I totally loved it.
We were supposed to visit Seoul at the end of February and had planned on visiting Mugyodong Bugeokukjib when we were there, but Coronavirus put an end to that.
As we were craving Bekeoguk and I had seen it on your blog, I decided to give it a try.
I made it with the radish instead of potatoes, and it came out beautifully.
Thank you for the great recipe 🙂
Hope everyone stays safe and healthy during these trying times!
thomas granstrand says
hi i like to ask you if you have a dish with dried pollock with kimchi in korea ,,we in norway have dried cod stockfish or in italian stoccofisso i need for 200 persons just a taste sample
and what else can i put in mushrooms or reddish green onions
thanks for your help thomas norway
Peggy Chun says
Yummy as always! Thank you for the recipe! Made it for extended family on Mother’s day 🙂 . (P.S. My mom loves your recipes, too!)
Hyosun says
aww that’s great to hear! Happy Mother’s Day to you and your mom.
Amber says
This is such a simple and cozy recipe for a cold day. Really enjoyed this and it was quick and easy to make.
Hyosun says
Thank you, Amber! It really is quick, easy and delicious! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it!
petrina tang says
Wonderful recipes! I have been to Seoul 3 times in the past 7 months and absolutely love the food and culture. Thank you for sharing with your clear concise instructions and great pictures. Your efforts are not in vain, and i will be using your recipes for sure in Singapore. 🙂
Niki says
Hi, i love all your recipes. I am so excited to try this bukeoguk soup recipe.
I also wanted to ask you that if i can also use the beef bone soup as the base water for this bukeoguk? And how would it change?
Thanks.
Hyosun says
You can if you want. I think it would be a quite different soup in terms of flavor and appearance. But I’m sure it will taste good in a diff way.
Cathy says
Oh! Reminds me of my mom and her home-cooking. Thank you for the recipe! 🙂
cooking.eating.carousing. says
Thank you for the recipe. I’ve made this twice now, and always it’s comforting and soothing. I don’t need to be a drinker to see why it is a haejangguk 해장국.
Hyosun says
I know what you mean. I’m not a drinker, but love this soup for being comforting and soothing. Thanks!
Nicole Gordon says
Thank you so much for sharing your home cooked recipes with us. I love immersing myself in other cultures. So, whenever I see an authentic recipe/food, I want to try it. Besides, the soups and side dishes look so warm and homey in all of the K dramas that I watch. Gumsamneedah!
Hyosun Ro says
Thank you, Nicole!
Nicole Gordon says
I am so excited to try this dish as I have wanted to try Korean food. Soup is such a homey food and fairly easy to make. I appreciate you making your home cooked recipes available to others. Gumsamnedah!
Eve says
Hi! Just wanted to thank you for writing this blog. Love your recipes. I just made this bugeoguk a couple of days ago. I was uncertain if I would like the potatoes in there, but I really loved it…and so did my 3 little boys and hubby. 🙂 Thanks! Reading this from the other side of the country!
Hyosun Ro says
Hi Eve – That’s awesome! I didn’t think that bukeoguk is necessarily a kid-friendly soup. So I’m especially happy to hear that your three little boys love the soup! Thank you so much for letting me know!! Say hello to all your boys for me!
Chin P says
안녕하세요. Your recipes are very simple and comfortable to make.
I just arrived in korea 3months ago and i find it hard thinking about what to cook for my husband since i used to cook Philippine foods…so now, its a lot easier for me.
고맙습니다.
Hyosun Ro says
Hey Chin – That’s awesome to hear! I’m especially happy to see your comment on this post. You see I posted this recipe in December 2009. You’re the first person to comment! Thank you so much! It means a lot to me to hear I can be helpful to someone like you who’s starting a new life in Korea. As an immigrant myself (to America in my case), I can certainly relate to you. I wish you the very best with your new life in Korea!