14 Korean Soup Soy Sauce Recipes (Guk Ganjang)

Korean Soup Soy Sauce or Guk Ganjang (국간장) is a unique Korean soy sauce that you may not heard of before. Most of us are familiar with soy sauce but did you know that there’s a specific soy sauce in Korean cuisine for making soups, stews and namuls? If you are serious about authentic Korean cooking that is not limited to BBQ and bibimbap, then Guk Ganjang is a must-have in your Korean pantry.

Since it is the go-to soy sauce for making Korean soups, it also goes by the name Guk Ganjang or “soup soy sauce”. In addition to soups, one simply cannot make Korean vegetable namuls without this amazing soy sauce. Up until about 50 years ago, every Korean home made and used this sauce at home and thus the name – Jip Ganjang 집간장, meaning “house soy sauce”.Different names for Korean Soup Soy Sauce – Guk Ganjang 국간장, Joseon Ganjang 조선간장, Jip Ganjang 집간장, Jeontong Ganjang 전통간장 (traditional soy sauce), Jaerae Ganjang 재래간장(Jaerae means ‘of the old ways’).

Traditional Korean soup soy sauce is made from soybeans, water and salt. Cooked soybeans are formed into blocks (meju) and the entire fermentation process that takes two to three months, resulting in a unique umami flavor packed soy sauce.

Korean Guk Ganjang is saltier, lighter in color, a little more pungent and much more complex in flavor than regular soy sauce. It smells quite funky like a fermented fish sauce. For more information, read my Korean soy sauce buying guide. Now that you know about Korean soup soy sauce, it’s time to start cooking with it!

SOUPS AND STEWS

Almost all Korean soups (guk) and stews (jjigae) are best seasoned with it, which is why it is known as “soup soy sauce” or guk ganjang. Here’s a great selection of Korean soup and stew recipes using this wonderful seasoning sauce.

Beef and Radish Soup (Seogogi Mu Guk) 

The classic Beef and Radish Soup (Seogogi Mu Guk), also known as Daikon Soup, is an everyday Korean soup that’s very simple to make. It’s mild in flavor and easy to digest, making it a wonderful soup for the entire family, even for children and the elderly.

Instant Pot Rice Cake Soup (Tteokguk)

Rice Cake Soup is an important dish in Korean cuisine and is served during special occasions like the new year celebration. This recipe has a rich beef broth that usually takes a long time to make, but you can save time with the Instant Pot without sacrificing the flavor. No Instant Pot? Get this recipe.

Fish Cake Soup (Eomuk Guk)

The tummy-warming Fish Cake Soup (Eomuk Guk) is a popular street food in Korea, and is especially comforting on cold days. I know originally it comes from Japan where it goes by Oden Soup. But what makes this different from the Japanese style sweet Oden soup is that once it is seasoned with Korean soup soy sauce, it totally turns into something else. You can find fish cake from Asian or Korean supermarkets. To make a meal, serve it with bibim noodles and Korean vegetable fries (yache twigim).

Spicy Beef Soup (Yukgaejang)

Yukgaejang is a spicy Korean beef soup made with brisket meat and has green onions, bean sprouts, and gosari (bracken fiddleheads). If you taste the soup BEFORE you add the soup soy sauce (guk ganjang), you will feel like something is missing from the flavor profile… then you add the magic Korean soy sauce and voila!! The dish is complete.

It’s so good you will not be able to stop at one bowl. Don’t worry, my recipe is on the less spicy side! Serve it with some rice and kimchi for a complete meal.

Instant Pot Short Rib Soup (Galbitang)

The meaty Korean Short Rib Soup (Galbitang) is a rich and deeply satisfying soup. It usually takes hours to boil on the stovetop, but you’ll only need half an hour of cooking time with the Instant Pot.  This soup is very simply seasoned with just salt and Guk Ganjang. If you don’t have an Instant Pot, check out my traditional Galbitang recipe.

Seaweed Soup (Miyeok Guk)

Seaweed Soup (Miyeok Guk) is a highly nutritious vegan soup made simply of seaweed and seasoned with chosun ganjang, salt, and sesame oil. It is rich in minerals and is traditionally consumed by women after childbirth to help with recovery. Make it for your family today!

Instant Pot Korean Spicy Pork Bone Stew (Gamjatang)

Korean Spicy Pork Bone Stew (Gamjatang) is a hearty stew made with pork neck bones and potatoes. It is easier to make with the Instant Pot because the pork bones need a long cooking time, but you can also make it on the stovetop with my regular Gamjatang recipe. Another dish where the addition of Guk Ganjang makes a huge difference in flavor.

Spicy Pollock Roe Stew (Al Tang or Al Jjigae)

Spicy Pollock Roe Stew (Al Tang) is a unique Korean dish that’s bursting with the taste of the sea and unmistakable Korean flavors like pepper powder, gochujang, and chosun ganjang. If you love seafood and spicy food, this is the recipe for you! It only takes about 30 minutes to make.

Alaska pollock is a very important ingredient in Korean cuisine. You can make a delicious and spicy Alaska Pollock Stew (Dongtae Jjigae) with frozen Alaska pollock, which you can find at the Korean supermarket. Koreans will tell you this is the best fish stew to warm up your tummy!

Korean Zucchini Side Dish (Maleun Hobak Namul)

Fresh Kimchi Salad is instant kimchi you can make in minutes without pickling. It does not require fermentation and can be eaten right away. Keep this recipe handy and whip it up to impress guests at a party. It will be a conversation starter!

I’m sure that these recipes will make you fall in love with Korean soup soy sauce. Leave me a comment below and let me know if you try any of the recipes. I’d LOVE to hear from you! Feel free to tag me on Instagram @kimchimari so I can see your cooking. 😍