Maeun-tang facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Maeun-tang

Alternative names	Spicy fish stew
Type	Tang
Place of origin	Korea
Main ingredients	Fish
Ingredients generally used	Meat, vegetables, tofu, gochujang

Maeun-tang (Hangul: 매운탕) is a popular and spicy Korean cuisine fish soup. Its name means "hot and spicy soup" in Korean. This delicious dish is made by boiling fresh or saltwater fish with a special Korean red chili pepper paste called gochujang.

Many different vegetables are added to Maeun-tang. These include green leafy vegetables like watercress, onions, radishes, and garlic. Sometimes, zucchini and tofu (bean curd) are also included. These ingredients help to soak up the rich flavors of the chili paste.

About Maeun-tang

Maeun-tang is a very popular dish in Korea. It's known for its bold, spicy taste and comforting warmth. People often enjoy it as a main meal, especially during colder weather.

What's in the Soup?

The main ingredient in Maeun-tang is always fish. The fish is cut into pieces and cooked in a flavorful broth. The broth gets its spicy kick from gochujang and chili powder.

Other ingredients that make this soup special are:

• Green vegetables like watercress and garland chrysanthemum
• Onions and radishes
• Chili peppers and garlic
• Sometimes, zucchini and tofu

These ingredients are all cooked together. More chili powder, garlic, and soy sauce are added to get the perfect taste.

Choosing Your Fish

When you order Maeun-tang at a restaurant, you might get to pick your own fish! Many seafood restaurants have tanks with live fish. This way, you know your soup will be made with very fresh ingredients.

Some popular types of fish used for Maeun-tang include:

• Red snapper
• Black sea bass
• Yellow corvina
• Codfish
• Croaker
• Pollock

Even freshwater fish like carp and trout can be used. Sometimes, other seafood like crabs, clams, and oysters are added. These extra ingredients make the soup even more flavorful and refreshing.

How it's Enjoyed

Maeun-tang is often served after another Korean dish called hoe. Hoe is a dish of raw fish. If you order hoe at a restaurant, the Maeun-tang might be made using the leftover parts of the fish from your hoe dish. This is a great way to use all parts of the fish and enjoy two delicious meals!

Gallery

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  Maeun-tang ingredients ready to be cooked.

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  A steaming bowl of Maeun-tang, ready to eat.

See also

In Spanish: Maeuntang para niños