Try These 3 Delicious Korean Soups

This is my second time living in South Korea. The reason for my return is easy...I fell in love with the food. More specifically, I acquired a serious taste for the soups. Ranging from mild to extra spicy, these dishes can remedy anything, from simple hunger to a strong hangover. If you're in the mood for a little something different, search out your local Korean restaurant and ask for one of these culinary delights.

Kalbi Tang (Beef Soup)

This soup contains tender beef ribs and is served piping hot. Other ingredients include potato noodles, green onions, ginseng root, and a large jujube. Add several scoops of rice to this soup and you have a full meal. This dish is also served with a small bowl of soy and wasabi sauce to dip the rib meat into. In fact, it's common to remove all of the rib meat from the soup first and eat separately. Since this soup is not spicy at all, it's a virtual favorite among foreigners. Overall experience: Surprisingly addictive--I've gone several days in a row eating just this soup.

Samgye Tang (Chicken Soup) 

Samgye Tang is similar in appearance to Kalbi Tang, but it's looks can be deceiving. In addition to green onions and ginseng, this soup's signature ingredient is a small, whole chicken stuffed with sweet rice, chestnuts, and jujubes. The variety of herbs used for flavoring are said to possessmedicinal qualities and provide an energy boost. Some restaurants even sell different cocktails of herbs that focus on specific remedies or to promote men's or women's health. Overall experience: Delicious--didn't know "medicine" could taste so good. 

Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Soup) 

This blood-red soup is made from one year-old cabbage kimchi that you can normally smell before seeing. The aged kimchi automatically makes the dish spicy. If this wasn't enough, several spoonfuls of red pepper powder are added for good measure. Tofu and pork meat round out the rest of the ingredients. Because of the extreme spiciness, this soup goes down well with a bottle of Korean soju. I usually eat only a few times a year, but my wife loves this one. Overall experience: Proceed with caution--tastes like a mouthful of fire. 

Now Find a Korean Restaurant 

When I returned back to the United States after my first stay, I thought I would lose these soups forever. It's easy to find a Chinese or Japanese restaurant almost anywhere, but locating Korean food is a little more challenging. Check online or use your favorite app to discover the Korean restaurants near you. Trust me, it will definitely be worth your while! Mani mokgoh! (Eat a lot!)