TL;DR:

Discover 7 Korean soups real locals love, from kimchi jjigae to seolleongtang, and find your next cozy everyday bowl at home

In Korea, soup isn’t just part of the meal—it is the meal.

Whether you’re starting your day, recovering from a hangover, or just craving something comforting and bold, there’s a Korean soup for that moment. Some are mild and nourishing. Others are fiery, funky, and full of attitude. But all of them are rooted in real home cooking—what Korean families actually eat, not just what looks good on Instagram.

Here are 7 Korean soups that locals genuinely love—and now, thanks to MyfreshDash, you can have them delivered to your door.

1. Seaweed Soup 미역국 (Miyeokguk)

Miyeokguk is more than a soup—it’s a tradition. Made from nutrient-rich seaweed, usually simmered in a light beef or anchovy broth and seasoned with garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil, it’s clean, mineral-rich, and surprisingly satisfying.

When Koreans eat it:

• On birthdays—it’s a must.

• After giving birth—it’s believed to help recovery and replenish nutrients.

• Whenever they want something light but meaningful.

  
  

Flavor: Mild, earthy, and slightly briny.

2. Spicy Beef & Vegetable Soup 육계장 (Yukgaejang)

This soup is a powerhouse. It’s made with shredded beef brisket, scallions, gosari (fernbrake), and glass noodles simmered in a bold, spicy red broth. It’s hearty, hydrating, and hits that perfect balance of spicy and savory.

When Koreans eat it:

• To sweat out a cold

• After a long day—when you need warmth and spice

• As a satisfying meal with rice

Flavor: Deep, beefy, spicy, and earthy with a little heat that lingers.

3. Ginseng Chicken Soup 삼계탕 (Samgyetang)

This iconic soup features a whole young chicken stuffed with sweet rice, ginseng, garlic, and jujube, slow-cooked until everything is fall-apart tender. Traditionally eaten in the summer, it’s considered food that heals.

When Koreans eat it:

• On the hottest days of the year (yes, hot soup in hot weather!)

• When recovering from exhaustion or illness

• When craving slow-cooked comfort

Flavor: Subtle, herby, and deeply nourishing with a hint of sweetness.

4. Beef Bone Soup 설렁탕 (Seolleongtang)

Don’t let the pale color fool you—this soup is rich. Made by simmering ox bones for hours until the broth turns milky white, it’s high in collagen and full of deep, beefy flavor. Usually seasoned with just salt, pepper, and scallions.

When Koreans eat it:

• For breakfast—especially in winter

• As a hangover cure

• When you want something clean and filling

Flavor: Mild but rich, like drinking comfort in a bowl.

5. Abalone Porridge 전복죽 (Jeonbokjuk)

Abalone porridge is high-end comfort food. Made from slow-cooked rice and abalone, this soup is silky, savory, and surprisingly luxurious. It’s gentle on the stomach but rich in nutrients.

When Koreans eat it:

• While recovering from illness

• For a light, healthy meal

• As a treat when you need something extra comforting

Flavor: Delicate, slightly oceanic, buttery-soft.

6. Spicy Sausage & Vegetable Stew (Budae Jjigae)

Budae jjigae is what happens when you throw sausages, ramen noodles, kimchi, rice cakes, and beans into a spicy, savory broth. Born post-war, this stew mixes traditional and American ingredients—and Koreans made it delicious.

When Koreans eat it:

• During late-night meals with friends

• After a long night out

• When you're craving something wild, spicy, and satisfying

Flavor: Spicy, smoky, savory—with crazy textures in every bite.

7. Soybean Paste Stew with Pork (Doenjang Jjigae)

If kimchi jjigae is the bold one, doenjang jjigae is the deep thinker. Made with fermented soybean paste, pork, tofu, onions, and zucchini, this stew is funky, rich, and full of fermented flavor that grows on you.

When Koreans eat it:

• For daily meals at home

• With steamed rice and a side of kimchi

• As a reset after too much greasy food

Flavor: Earthy, salty, deeply umami with a touch of funk (in a good way).

Final Thoughts

In Korea, soup isn't just something you eat—it's how you feel. It’s care in a bowl. These seven soups aren’t trends—they’re the meals Koreans grew up with, lean on, and still love today.

And the best part? You don’t need a flight to Seoul or hours in the kitchen. All seven of these real-deal Korean soups are available now at MyfreshDash.com—ready to heat, slurp, and love.

Looking for Instant comfort, bold flavor, or something new to try? Shop now at MyfreshDash

Recommended from MyFreshDash

• Seaweed soup (miyeokguk) — light, mineral-rich classic for any day.

• Kimchi budae jjigae — hearty, spicy stew when you want bigger flavor.

• What is doenjang? — the savory paste that deepens Korean soup broths.

FAQ: 7 Korean Soups That Real Local Koreans Love

1. Which Korean soups are featured in this guide?

This guide highlights seven favorites: seaweed soup, spicy beef and vegetable soup, ginseng chicken soup, beef bone soup, abalone porridge, spicy sausage and vegetable stew, and soybean paste stew with pork. Together they cover birthdays, hangovers, recovery days, and everyday home meals.

2. Which of these soups are best for beginners or mild flavors?

Seaweed soup, beef bone soup, ginseng chicken soup, and abalone porridge are best for beginners. They focus on clean broth, gentle seasonings, and comforting textures, with little or no chili heat.

3. Which soups are best for spicy food lovers?

Spicy beef and vegetable soup and spicy sausage and vegetable stew are ideal for people who love heat. Soybean paste stew with pork also brings a cozy level of spice with deep fermented flavor, making it a good everyday option for spice fans.

4. Why is seaweed soup so important for birthdays and recovery?

Seaweed soup is traditionally eaten after childbirth and during recovery because it is mineral-rich, light, and soothing. Over time, it became the standard birthday soup, a way to remember a mother’s care and start the day with something warm and meaningful.

5. Which Korean soups are good for hangovers or feeling run-down?

Beef bone soup and spicy beef and vegetable soup are classic choices for hangovers and tired days, while ginseng chicken soup and abalone porridge are popular when someone needs gentle, steady nourishment. They are warm, filling, and feel like slow-cooked care in a bowl.

6. How do these soups fit into everyday Korean meals?

Soups like soybean paste stew with pork often appear at home with rice and side dishes. Seaweed soup may show up on birthdays or lighter days, beef bone soup is common for breakfast or cold weather, and spicy sausage and vegetable stew is a favorite for casual late-night meals with friends.

7. How can I make these ready-made soups feel more homemade?

Add sliced green onion, tofu, mushrooms, rice cakes, dumplings, or extra vegetables while heating the soup. Serve with hot rice, kimchi, and a sprinkle of roasted seaweed or sesame seeds to make the meal feel like a homemade Korean table.