Chueo-tang facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Chueo-tang

Chueo-tang served with perilla seed powder
Alternative names	Loach soup
Type	Tang
Place of origin	Korea
Associated national cuisine	Korean cuisine
Main ingredients	Pond loach

Chueo-tang (pronounced choo-uh-tang), also known as loach soup, is a yummy Korean soup. It's made with pond loach, which is a type of freshwater fish. The city of Namwon in Korea is especially famous for its delicious Chueo-tang.

What's in a Name?

The name Chueo-tang is easy to understand. Chueo (Hangul: 추어; Hanja: 鰍魚) is a special name for the pond loach. In Korean, this fish is usually called mikkuraji (미꾸라ji). The word Tang (Hangul: 탕; Hanja: 湯) simply means soup. So, Chueo-tang means "loach soup."

A Taste of History

Chueo-tang has been enjoyed in Korea for a long time. After the autumn equinox, called chubun, farmers drain their rice fields. This is when pond loaches, which are getting ready to hibernate, are easy to catch.

This soup is often served at special gatherings for older people. It's seen as a healthy and comforting dish.

Long ago, in Hanyang (which is now Seoul) during the Joseon era, there was a group of people who sold food. They were allowed to sell Chueo-tang in the city. They would catch pond loaches and make this soup to sell.

How It's Made

Making Chueo-tang starts with cooking the pond loaches. They are boiled in water until they are very soft. Then, the cooked fish is carefully sieved. This removes all the bones and skin, leaving only the soft fish meat.

Next, this fish meat is boiled again. It's mixed with beef or chicken broth. The soup gets its flavor from special Korean ingredients. These include gochujang (a spicy chili paste) and doenjang (a savory soybean paste). Grated ginger and ground black pepper are also added for taste.

Many vegetables are put into the soup too. These can include mung bean sprouts, Asian royal fern, scallions, napa cabbages, and mustard greens.

When the soup is served, people often add more flavor. In some areas, like Yeongnam, people sprinkle ground chopi peppercorns and Korean mint leaves. In other places, like Honam, they might use perilla powder instead. This makes each bowl of Chueo-tang unique!

Images for kids

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  Chueo-tang served with ground chopi, ground perilla seeds, and garlic chives