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What Great Grandma Ate / Recipes / Korean Radish Soup (Muguk)

Korean Radish Soup (Muguk)

Last Updated on May 24, 2022 by Jean Choi Leave a Comment

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Easy, delicious, and comforting Korean radish soup, or muguk, is a staple in every Korean home. It’s mild and absolutely delicious with rice and some kimchi!

Korean beef radish soup in a bowl with a spoon

What is Muguk?

Muguk, or Korean radish soup recipe, may not be seen commonly at Korean restaurants, but it’s eaten in most Korean households. Naturally paleo and gluten free, it’s considered a comfort food and it’s wonderful when it’s chilly out.

It’s made using Korean radish (or mu) and typically beef, in a mild broth that’s flavored with garlic and fish sauce. The full name is soegogi muguk, which translates to “beef radish soup”. Guk means soup in Korean, and the recipe comes together quickly and easily. And if you like milder flavored Korean soups, definitely check out Korean oxtail soup as well!

Korean Beef Radish Soup Recipe

For this muguk recipe, you just need some simple ingredients that come together in a large pot. Korean radish might be the hardest ingredient to find, but it should be sold at local Asian or Korean grocery stores. If you can’t find it, you can use daikon radish instead which has a similar texture and flavor. Korean radish soup is wonderful with some rice and kimchi, so I highly recommend you enjoy it that way!

Korean radish soup served with rice, kimchi, and spicy cucumber salad

Ingredients

  • beef brisket: I like to used brisket because it’s sturdy and tender in simmered soup, but chuck roast will also work in this Korean radish soup recipe.
  • sesame oil
  • garlic
  • fish sauce: I recommend high quality fish sauce. This is my favorite brand.
  • Korean radish: If you can’t find it and need a Korean radish substitute, you can use daikon radish. DO NOT use western pink radish. Korean radish can be seen at the top of the bottom left photo. It’s shorter and rounder than daikon radish with a greenish hue near the stem.
  • water
  • green onions
  • salt & ground black pepper
Ingredients for muguk: beef brisket, mu, green onions, and garlic
Cutting Korean radish into thin squares

How to Make Korean Radish Soup or Muguk

  1. First, cut the meat in to bite-sized slices, then mix together with sesame oil, garlic, and fish sauce.
  2. Slice the radish into thin squares while the meat is marinating.
  3. In a medium sized pot, heat the remaining teaspoon of sesame oil over medium high heat.
  4. Add the meat and sauté for about 5 minutes until browned on all sides.
  5. Add the sliced radish squares and sauté for 3 minutes.
  6. Pour in water, then let it come to a boil. While boiling, you’ll see dark brown foam rising to the top and you can just use a spoon to skim it off and discard.
  7. Cover, then reduce the heat to simmer until the meat is cooked through and the radish is softened.
  8. Add the green onions and the remaining fish sauce. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
  9. Remove from heat, add salt and pepper, if needed, then serve with rice and kimchi.
Close up view of Korean radish soup in a bowl

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this Korean radish soup vegetarian?

Yes! to make vegetarian muguk, omit the beef and use a full pound of Korean radish. If you want to make it vegan, replace fish sauce with coconut aminos or gluten free soy sauce.

What’s the best way to enjoy muguk?

Muguk is typically served warm with a bowl of hot rice and kimchi or other spicy side dishes (or banchan). I sometimes add the rice into the soup, and enjoy it that way as well!

How long will the leftovers last?

Kept in an airtight container in the fridge, Korean beef radish soup can be enjoyed for up to 5 days. Just reheat back on the stovetop on in the microwave before serving!

Spooning out muguk in a bowl

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like…

  • Instant Pot Korean Oxtail Soup (Kkori Gomtang) – Paleo, Whole30
  • Korean Soondubu with Kimchi (Beef, Pork, or Vegan)
  • Kkakdugi – Korean Radish Kimchi (Paleo, Whole30, Keto, Vegan Option)
  • Kimchi Braised Keto & Whole30 Pork Ribs (Dweji Galbi Kimchi Jjim) – Stove Top & Instant Pot Method!
Korean radish soup, or muguk, in a bowl with a spoon

Korean Radish Soup with Beef (Muguk)

Easy, delicious, and comforting Korean radish soup, or muguk, is a staple in every Korean home. It's mild and absolutely delicious with rice and some kimchi!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine: Korean
Keyword: korean beef radish soup, muguk
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 130kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 oz beef brisket or chuck roast
  • 2 tsp sesame oil divided
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1½ tbsp fish sauce divided
  • 12 oz Korean radish or daikon radish
  • 8 cups water
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Slice the meat in to bite-sized slices, then combine with 1 tsp sesame oil, garlic, and 1/2 tbsp fish sauce.
  • While the meat is marinating, slice the radish into thin squares.
  • In a medium pot, heat the remaining teaspoon of sesame oil over medium high heat.
  • Sauté the meat for about 5 minutes until browned on all sides.
  • Add the radish squares and sauté for 3 minutes.
  • Add water, then let it come to a boil. While boiling, you'll see dark brown foam rising to the top and you can just use a spoon to skim it off and discard.
  • Cover, then reduce the heat to simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Add the green onions and the remaining tablespoon of fish sauce. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, add salt and pepper, if needed, then serve with rice and kimchi.
Nutrition Facts
Korean Radish Soup with Beef (Muguk)
Amount Per Serving (1 serving – makes 4)
Calories 130 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 35mg12%
Sodium 618mg27%
Potassium 428mg12%
Carbohydrates 5g2%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 61IU1%
Vitamin C 21mg25%
Calcium 53mg5%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.

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By Jean Choi | May 24, 2022

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Welcome!

headshot of Jean Choi - blogger of What Great Grandma Ate

I’m Jean and I’m a food lover and content creator living in Southern California with my husband, 2 young daughters, and a French bulldog. Here, you’ll find simple and easy mostly gluten-free and nutrient dense recipes that focus on quality ingredients, and of course, never sacrifice on taste. I believe that the food you love should love you back, making you feel amazing inside and out. Whatever your health or cooking journey may be, I hope you find something delicious on my site!

More About Jean

Recipe Key

  • 3030 Min or Less
  • AIPAIP
  • EFEgg Free
  • LCLow Carb
  • NFNut Free
  • PPaleo
  • VVegan
  • W3Whole 30

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