Galbitang (Korean Beef Short Rib Soup)

Method

1. Put the short ribs in a bowl of cold water and soak for 1 h, changing the water twice. This draws out the blood so the soup stays clear instead of grey and murky.

   Add in this stepBone-in beef short ribs, cut into 5 cm pieces (not thin LA-style) 600 g

2. Bring plenty of water to the boil in a 22 cm pot over high heat, add the ribs and boil for 5 min. Grey foam will rise. Drain, rinse each rib under running water to remove the scum, and trim off any large lumps of hard fat. Wash the pot.

   high heat

3. Put the ribs back in the clean 22 cm pot with the measured water, the radish in one big chunk, the onion, leek, garlic and ginger. Bring to the boil over high heat for about 12 min, skimming off the foam, then reduce to medium-low heat, partly cover and simmer for 1 h 25 min. The meat is ready when a chopstick slides in easily and it starts to come away from the bone.

   Add in this stepWater 2.2 LKorean radish or daikon 200 gOnion 100 gKorean leek (daepa) or thick spring onion, white part 60 gGarlic cloves, whole 5Fresh ginger, sliced 8 g

   high heat→medium-low heat

4. While the soup simmers, soak the glass noodles in warm water for 30 min until soft and bendy.

   Add in this stepSweet potato glass noodles (dangmyeon) 40 g

5. Lift out the radish and slice it into 3 cm squares about 5 mm thick. Remove and discard the onion, leek, garlic and ginger. Skim the clear fat off the surface with a ladle (a paper towel laid briefly on top picks up the rest). Season with the soup soy sauce, salt and pepper, return the radish and simmer over medium heat for 5 min. It should taste gently salty, like a good broth.

   Add in this stepKorean soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang) 2 tspSalt ¾ tspBlack pepper 1 pinch

   medium heat

6. Drain the noodles, add them to the pot and heat over medium heat for 1 min, just until warmed through; any longer and they turn mushy. Ladle into deep bowls with 2–3 ribs each, scatter over the spring onion and serve piping hot with rice and kimchi.

   Add in this stepSpring onion, finely sliced 2 tbsp

   medium heat