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The amazing Spicy Korean Cauliflower Soup,

July 12, 2024 by Tania 2 Comments

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There is nothing better in the winter than a spicy soup!

The thing that makes this soup a Spicy Korean Cauliflower Soup is the addition of Gochujang, sesame, and soy. It’s tingly hot and fortifying with comforting cauliflower and chunks of potato. It is perfection for warming up empty bellies.

Korean Winter soup

Make a double batch and freeze one!

There is nothing that I love more than a big pot of something that lasts me for days. I never thought I would say that, but lately, that’s how I feel. Being able to have this for dinner today and then again tomorrow is perfect. I can even miss dinner tomorrow and take it to work for lunch.

For me, the flavour of sesame, ginger, and spicy red pepper paste (gochujang) is what I crave when it’s cold outside. Hello, Spicy Korean Cauliflower Soup.

Korean spicy cauliflower soup

So what is Gochjang and where do I get it?

Gochujang or red chili paste is a savory, sweet, and spicy fermented condiment used in Korean cooking. The fermentation, based on glutinous rice results in a slight sweetness without the addition of sugar. You can buy Gochujang in supermarkets or Asian stores.

If you can’t find gochujang you could replace it, but, it is quite delicious and you will soon be addicted, to it too. If necessary, you could try combining miso paste and sriracha with a little pinch of sugar. The flavour will be similar but your dish will be spicier and more acidic than intended. Hot sauces contain vinegar, and gochujang does not. Harissa paste could be used but be aware Harissa tends to be spicier than gochujang, so adjust the quantity according to your tolerance level, along with some sugar.

Why not check out these recipes :

Whole Korean chicken recipe Chicken in a roasting pot with chilli sauce

Chicken Meatballs with Gochujang and sesame Spicy chicken meatballs with Korean chilli paste

Korean Cauliflower soup

What else do I need to make this delicious Cauliflower Soup?

  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Cauliflower
  • Gochujang
  • Potato
  • Stock
  • Coconut milk
  • Soy sauce
  • Sesame oil

I also add: sesame seeds, coriander, sushi pickled ginger and cucumber to serve with the soup!

When making soups, I don’t like to throw everything into the pot and boil it. I like to sweat off the onions, garlic, and ginger to sweeten it up and develop the flavour before adding the rest of the ingredients. This doesn’t take too much extra time but it makes a difference to the taste.

Cauliflower and Gochujang soup with sesame

Can I freeze this Spicy Korean Cauliflower soup?

Yes, you can.

This soup will keep for up to a week too if you want to keep it in the fridge. However, if you would like to freeze it cool it down slightly put it into a sealed container and freeze for up to a month.

Spicy Korean Cauliflower Soup

The thing that makes this soup a Spicy Korean Cauliflower Soup is the addition of Gochujang, sesame, and soy. It's tingly hot and fortifying with comforting cauliflower and chunks of potato
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Servings: 4 serves
Course: Bowl food, dinner, Maincourse, Soup
Cuisine: Asian, Gochujang, korean, Soup
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 200 gm onion, diced 1 large
  • 4 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 30 gm ginger, chopped 3 tbsp
  • 100 gm Gochujang 3 large Tablespoons
  • 800-1000 kg cauliflower, chopped 1 whole
  • 500 gm potato, diced 2 medium
  • 1 litre stock, chicken or vegetable or 2 stock cubes
  • 400 ml coconut milk 1 can
  • 40 ml sesame oil 2-3 Tablsp
  • 80 ml soy sauce, light 4 Tblsp
  • 40 ml vegetable oil 2 Tblsp
Garnishes: sesame seeds, pickled ginger, coriander, cucumber

Method
 

  1. Use a medium to large pot, of about 3 to 4 litres (6-7 pints) add the vegetable oil and put the pot onto medium heat. Add the onion, ginger, and garlic and stir over low to medium heat stirring until they are soft and fragrant.
  2. Add the Gochujang, chopped potato and cauliflower and stir well. Make sure the heat is not too high. You don't want the chilli paste to stick to the bottom of the pot.
  3. Add the coconut milk and the stock, 2 Tblsps of soy plus 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Stir well and let the soup simmer for 20 minutes or until the poatoies are tender.
  4. Add the remaining sesame oil and soy sauce. Use a stick blender or food processor to puree just half of the soup, leaving some chunks of cauliflower and potato. This makes a textural contrast when you are eating and serving the soup.
    Test the seasoning. Add salt or extra soy sauce.
    ** Gochujang is quite peppery. To take this soup down a notch use only 50 gm of paste ( or 1/2 the listed amount) This will give a nice warm hum.

Notes

This soup looks great when it is only half pureed. This way you get a nice smooth puree with delicious chunky pieces of cauliflower and potato
One of the most important parts of serving a lux soup is to deliver it to the table with all the extra bits on the top that make it extra tasty
Once the soup is in the bowl add……
  • Toasted sesame seeds,
  • pickled sushi ginger,
  • coriander and
  • sliced cucumber 
Make double the recipe and put 1/2 aside.
This soup is quite Korean Spicy. To tone it back a bit add only 1/2 of the Gochujang paste and serve the rest on the side.

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Filed Under: Asian, One pot cooking, Recipe Basics, RECIPES, Soup, Vegetables, Vegetables and Vegetarian Tagged With: Cauliflower, dinner, easy and delicious, Easy dinner, Gochujang, korean flavours, Soup, spicy soup, vegetarian, what to make for dinner

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sherry

    July 19, 2024 at 2:43 pm

    this sounds delicious and warming. I often use gochugaru in my cooking for that spicy kick. I must get some gochujang too.
    cheers
    sherry

    Reply
    • Tania

      July 20, 2024 at 7:01 pm

      Hi Sherry
      Yes, I love these flavours. Hope you give it a try. tania

      Reply

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About Me

Tania Cusack Hi, I'm Tania and this is My Kitchen Stories. I share all kinds of recipes here. Most recipes are quick and easy, just perfect for families. BUT, you could also find vegan, cakes and desserts too. Come and have a look around Read More
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