Korean-style Seaweed Soup

A note to "ivyguppy." The recipe calls for real dried seaweed. Seaweed is perishable and can easily become “slimy,” which is why it is often sold dried. You soak it not only to reconstitute it, but also to rinse off some of the salt. I recommend soaking and rinsing it twice. “Nori” seaweed is bits of seaweed that is pressed together to make the “sushi” sheets. That is why when you used it, it immediately fell apart like tissue paper. For my taste, I like to add a little more meat and sometimes I like to add tofu. Don’t be tempted to “spice it up.” Not everything Korean is meant to be spicy. I am 1/2 Korean and when I gave birth to my twins, my Mom made me a huge pot. I didn't know it was tradition to make/eat seaweed soup for new Moms. Although I had had the soup a million times before, after giving birth...the soup had never tasted better. I can’t explain it, but it was like chicken noodle soup for soul. It has remained a favorite comfort food. I asked my Mom why it was good for me , and she said…in her Korean accent…”It just is.”

This is a great quick recipe for the city kats, but the healthiest, and usually only made by the country kats because of prep time, is made with stock that has been boiled with marrow for over a day instead of just plain old water...great for those with illness or cancer...

So delicious. I've had this soup with the sirloin substituted with clam and made it really, really good.

I am 1/2 Korean, 1000 miles away from my mother's cooking and craving seaweed soup! Made this recipe exactly as suggested and it was perfect. Thank you for sharing this great recipe!

A note about seaweed: A fair amount of times, I use wakame. It is easy since it is small pieces. However, the traditional way is to use "Dried Seaweed". It is dried seaweed in whole strips; it isn't easy to cut up, and it leaves flakes to clean. I'd cut up the portion you want to use and put it in water. After you transfer it to pot, you can cut it up with a scissor. Some variations: Add chopped/minced clams. Use some beef or chicken broth replacement for some water. (I usually do about 1/2 and 1/2, but I think some recipes use very small portions of the broth.) Add tofu. As another noted, use bone marrow to boil in water instead of plain water. Use thin wedges of onion also.

this is a great recipe.... Korean food recipes differ through each family.... Like in mine instead of soy sauce we would use some da shi da....its the same as using some beef bouillon cubes... I love this soup when I feel a cold coming on I will make this and feel better the next day... Very good recipe!

A friend brought this to a Korean themed dinner party, and it by far stood out among the other "chef prepared" dishes. I loved it so much, I had to seek out the recipe. I can't wait to make this myself. Wonderful!

The day before was my burthday. On my birthday morning, my husband served seaweed soup.. that was so sweet and delicous~! Day after my birthday, I found this recipe that he printed out from all recipes~! It was yummy and I was happy~!

I love seaweed soup. I grew up eating it as a kid at my grandmother's who is full korean. My mom made me some after I had my son ecause she said it is supposed to be good for nursing moms. I dont know how much truth there is to it, but it made me feel a million times better after being up all night as a first time mommy. this recipe is really close,but I think my mom may have added some broth or maybe dried salted seaweed. Cause it was saltier the way she made it. Very yummy!

I love allrecipes.com . I found the recipe for something I looked forward to every year on my birthday. And, when I gave birth to my children, this wonderful soup made me and my breastfed kids very healthy. And it's no myth - this stuff brings on lactation very quickly!!!