Korean Spicy Beef Soup (Yukaejang) Recipe

Written by
Naomi Imatome-Yun
Asian food expert Naomi Imatome-Yun is a freelance writer and the author of four Asian food cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Naomi Imatome-Yun
Updated 10/01/20
Korean spicy beef soup yukaejang recipe

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 50 mins
Total: 60 mins
Servings: 6 servings

Yukgaejang is a hearty Korean soup that warms you from your head to your toes. Full of meat and vegetables, it's fiery red, bold, and spicy. Yukgaejang is a one-pot meal that requires very little hands-on time but tastes like you've spent all day making it.

If you like noodles, another dish you should try is Korean Spicy Noodle Soup.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound brisket
  • 4 quarts water
  • 2 bundles of scallions (cut into thirds)
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 3/4 cup dried fernbrake (gosari, or bracken fiddleheads, presoaked)
  • 2 tablespoons garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons red pepper powder (gochugaru)
  • 2 tablespoons red pepper paste (gochujang)
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • Optional: 1 cup cooked glass noodles

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for korean spicy beef soup
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. In a large pot, bring brisket and about 4 quarts of water to a boil.

    Bring brisket to boil
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  3. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until meat is tender, skimming off fat and scum.

    Reduce heat
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  4. Remove the meat from the broth, but keep the broth in the pot.

    Remove meat from broth
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  5. When it's cool enough to handle, hand-shred the beef with the grain.

    Hand shred the beef
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  6. In a mixing bowl, combine shredded beef with scallions, bean sprouts, and fernbrake (gosari).

    Combine shredded beef with scallions
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  7. Season beef and vegetables with garlic, sesame oil, red pepper powder, red pepper paste, soy sauce, and black pepper.

    Season beef and vegetables
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  8. Add seasoned ingredients to the broth and bring to a boil.

    Add seasoned ingredients
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  9. Simmer for about 5 minutes and adjust soup to taste with soy sauce if necessary.

    Simmer
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  10. Swirl the beaten egg into the soup.

    Beat egg
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  11. Add noodles if using, and turn off heat.

    Add noodles
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  12. Serve in bowls and enjoy!

    Served in bowls
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Related Articles