Galbitang (Short Rib and Korean Radish Soup)

Published Feb. 26, 2025

Galbitang (Short Rib and Korean Radish Soup)
Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Brett Regot.
Total Time
2 ½ hours
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
2 hours
Rating
5(5)
Comments
Read comments

This traditional Korean soup features fall-off-the-bone tender braised short ribs and Korean radishes in a clear and soothing broth. Seasoned with onion, garlic and ginger, the radish releases its own sweet and savory juices to create a layered soup that is an elixir for cold winter months. Soaking the beef for 30 minutes beforehand helps remove impurities for a clear broth; there aren’t too many ingredients involved in making this soup so attention to detail pays off. A tip on easy degreasing, if time permits: Make the soup a day ahead and chill completely in the refrigerator; the fat will rise and solidify on top, making it a breeze to remove (and thereby yielding an even clearer and cleaner-tasting broth).

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone
    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.
    Subscribe
  • Print Options


Advertisement


Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 3pounds English-cut short ribs
  • 1medium yellow onion, peeled and halved
  • 5large garlic cloves, lightly crushed
  • 1(½-inch) piece peeled ginger
  • 1teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 3scallions, 2 cut into thirds and 1 thinly sliced
  • 1pound Korean radishes (mu) or daikon, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
  • Salt and pepper
  • Cooked short-grain rice and kimchi, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

1386 calories; 123 grams fat; 54 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 56 grams monounsaturated fat; 5 grams polyunsaturated fat; 15 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 4 grams sugars; 51 grams protein; 1192 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by
Cooking Newsletter illustration

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Add the short ribs to a large pot, cover with 2 inches of cool water, and let soak for 30 minutes. Drain.

  2. Step 2

    In the same pot, cover short ribs with enough cool water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook, skimming off any foam that rises to the top, for 3 minutes. Drain, rinsing meat if needed to remove any residue and wiping out the pot.

  3. Step 3

    Return ribs to the cleaned pot and add onion, garlic, ginger, peppercorns, the chopped scallions and 10 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high, then cover, reduce heat to low and cook for 30 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    After the ribs have cooked for 30 minutes, add the radishes, cover and cook until beef and radishes are tender, about 1 hour to 1 ½ hours longer.

  5. Step 5

    Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer ribs and radish to a cutting board. Strain broth through a sieve into a large bowl; press on the solids to extract juices, then discard. Skim any fat off the surface of the broth, if desired. Thinly slice the radishes.

  6. Step 6

    Add beef (it can be kept on the bone, or the bones can be discarded, if preferred), radishes and broth back to the pot and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper and stir in half of the sliced scallions.

  7. Step 7

    Divide soup among bowls and top with the remaining scallions. Serve hot with rice and kimchi on the side.

Ratings

5 out of 5
5 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Comments

There aren’t any comments yet. Be the first to leave one.

Simple, comforting and refreshing. I made the stew as written, with an extra inch of ginger. I did not defat the broth as aggressively as I could have and wish that I had - otherwise this was perfect. Served with kimchi and short grain rice on the side, it is a perfect light lunch or dinner. If short ribs were cheaper ($15/pound near me) I’d make this more often - I wonder how chuck roast or beef stew meat would fare?

Private comments are only visible to you.

Advertisement

or to save this recipe.