How To Cook Yukgaejang (The Simplest Way)

If you're a fan of Korean food, chances are you've heard of Yukgaejang, a spicy beef broth that will sure to leave you craving for more.

During my trip to South Korea, I chanced upon an instant Yukgaejang soup base from Ottogi being sold in a grocery store. Since I loved the spicy beef soup so much, I decided to buy one pack to try back home.

Bought the Yukgaejang instant soup base in a box with another foil packaging inside. I think it costs around 3000 won (approximately RM9), but mianhae, my memory might have failed me since it was some time ago when I bought this.

Inside the foil packaging you will see 2 dried soup base and 2 sachets of oil. You can opt to use one pack each for a single portion, but I decided to use all since I was cooking for two persons.

The instructions were in Korean, so I had to take a wild guess on what fresh ingredients to add. Meat (beef or chicken) is a must, to give the soup more flavour. I used chicken since I couldn't find fresh beef :(

I also added mushrooms, some spring onions and some fresh chillies which I sliced to thin strips. Bring all ingredients and soup base together to a boil, and voila! Instant Yukjaejang awaits you!

Overall, my instant Yukgaejang tasted good, but would have been better with beef slices I think. I have yet to come across the same Ottogi instant Yukgaejang soup base in Malaysian stores, but if you have, do drop me a comment on where I can get it.

Hoping to try cooking this again in the future, whether from scratch or with instant soup base. But the latter probably warrants a trip to South Korea again... ;)

The author regrets not having the foresight to buy back more instant soup bases home. Cooking Korean food for comfort would be so much easier then!

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Grocery buys from South Korea

Korean groceries

As promised, I'm writing this post to document my grocery buys from my trip to South Korea. I did most of my grocery shopping in Nampodong, Busan since it was my last stop before I fly back home to Kuala Lumpur.

I bought my groceries from a shop nearby my hotel, and I think most of the prices are quite cheap compared to those at convenience stores. I bought some kelp, roasted seaweed to sprinkle on rice, some yukgaejang soup premix, gochujang paste from this neighbourhood grocery store.

I got 2 stone pots (dolsot) and a ramyun pot for 3000 won (approximately RM9) each from a Daiso outlet. I also bought some steel chopsticks and spoons for 500 won (approximately RM1.50) each from a vendor who was clearing his wares in Namdaemun. My cheapest deal by far :)

I also managed to get some icing decorating tubes in different colours from Namdaemun!

Korean snacks

Finally, my snacks haul! I also bought all these from the nearby grocery store, since they have the cheapest prices for Pepero and Market O chocolates.

Peperos were going for 800 won (approximately RM2.40) each and chocolates were between 1500 won to 4000 won. 

Dried seaweed were also going for 500 won (approximately RM1.50) and I shared a box of 40 packs with my travel partners.

Also bought a box of Lotte Chocopie from Daiso which costs 1500 won (approximately RM4.50), much cheaper than in KL! :)

That wraps up my Korean grocery haul and hope to see you soon in my next posts!

Check out more posts on my Korean beauty buys, K-pop album haul and souvenirs, as well as Korean beverages on the streets!

The author has devoured all the snacks within less than a month since returning from South Korea. Time to hunt in the local grocery stores again...

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Ko Hyang: Korean Country Delights

Ko Hyang's Yukgaejang is simply delicious!

Yet another food review before my upcoming trip to South Korea in November. This time round I tried Ko Hyang, a quaint little store located at the LG floor of The Gardens Mall. 

My choice of dish is Yukgaejang, a spicy beef stew with vegetables. Served with a bowl of rice (with beans in it) and 3 banchans (bean sprouts, anchovies and kimchi), the meal was quite satisfying and affordably priced (it was around RM18.90 I think). My mom tried the Dol Sot Bibimbap, while my brother had the Chicken BBQ. 

While the Dol Sot Bibimbap was similar to what we've tried at most places, my Yukgaejang was flavourful and not too spicy. I kept drinking till my spoon reached the bottom of the bowl. Even my mom couldn't resist from stealing a few spoonfuls of the delicious soup. And mind you, she was already quite full at that point!

The Chicken BBQ was the most surprising winner of all the 3 dishes we ordered. The chicken was succulent and juicy, and so fragrant that when the chef started cooking it, we could smell it right away!

Definitely stop by for a taste of Korean country delights (their tagline obviously does not lie!) when you're around the vicinity. Do be warned though, they have few tables only and most of the time they are full at meal times. But staff are quick and we were seated within less than 5 minutes even when the store is full.

Can't wait to try their Bulgogi Bokem next round. Hit up their website for more info!

Update: I managed to try their Bulgogi Bokem last week when I was in the vicinity. The meat was very succulent and tasty! It was so good that I finished it till the last piece although I was practically full halfway through the meal :)

The author is ecstatic to try authentic Korean food in South Korea. If you have any great food suggestions, do drop a comment below. Thanks!

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