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Busan Spicy Fish Soup — traditional dish from Busan, South Korea
Soup Fish & Seafood

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥320kcal
💪34gProtein
🌾14gCarbs
🥑12gFat
🌿5gFibre
⚖️400 gServing

* Per serving · 400 g. May vary.

Allergens

🐟 Fish 🌾 Gluten 🫘 Soy

Busan Spicy Fish Soup

How to order / say it
Say it 매운탕 — [Mai-oon-tang]
Order I'd like the maeuntang, please.
Locally 매운탕 주세요.
Say locally

A fiery Korean soup made with fresh fish and vegetables.

Why try it?

Maeuntang perfectly illustrates the seafood-rich treasure trove that is Busan's coastline. Popular among locals for its hearty, spicy broth, it embodies communal dining and the joy of eating fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

How it tastes

The broth is deeply flavorful with a heat that warms you from the inside out, marrying the natural sweetness of the fish with spices. It's enriched with tofu, mushrooms, and vegetables, creating a medley of textures.

Origin & History — first documented: 1920

The origins of maeuntang are believed to have developed in coastal regions like Busan, where an abundance of fresh seafood leads to this nourishing soup. It became a staple in the 20th century as families sought warming meals.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🐟 400 g white fish
  • 🫘 150 g tofu
  • 🥣 30 g gochujang
  • 🥕 100 g radish
  • 🥕 100 g mushrooms
  • 🧄 50 g green onion

Method

  1. 1 Boil water in a pot and add slices of radish and mushrooms.
  2. 2 Add gochujang and simmer until vegetables are tender.
  3. 3 Add pieces of fish, tofu, and green onions to the pot.
  4. 4 Simmer until the fish is cooked through and serve hot.

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All Asia recipes — South Korea — Busan — Busan Spicy Fish Soup
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