Kimchi Soup With Tofu and Clams

A hearty Korean-inspired soup featuring spicy kimchi, tender littleneck clams, and silken tofu in a rich, savory broth. This warming dish combines the bold flavors of fermented kimchi with delicate seafood and creamy tofu.

4 servings
45 min

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp neutral oil
  • 1 small onion
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1 lb kimchi
  • 1 Tbsp white miso
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 lb littleneck clams
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 lb silken tofu
  • 2 whole scallions
  • white and light green parts only
  • thinly sliced

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat oil in a 4-6-qt. Dutch oven or large heavy pot over medium until hot. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until onion is softened, 3-5 minutes. Add kimchi along with its juices and cook, stirring often, until kimchi begins to caramelize and stick to bottom of pot, 8-10 minutes. Add 4 cups water and increase heat to medium-high to bring to a boil. Reduce heat as needed to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until some of the liquid is evaporated and flavors have melded, about 15 minutes.

    30 min

  2. 2.

    Spoon a few tablespoons of soup into a small bowl. Add miso and salt. Stir until miso loosens to a smooth sauce-like consistency, then stir back into soup (this helps avoid any lumps of undissolved miso).

    3 min

  3. 3.

    Add clams to soup. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until clams open, 5-7 minutes depending on size (discard any clams that do not open after 15 minutes). Mix in butter, then add tofu. Give soup one very gentle stir just to incorporate tofu (be careful not to break it up too much). Continue to cook soup, undisturbed, just until tofu is warmed through, 1-2 minutes. Taste and season with salt if needed.

    10 min

  4. 4.

    Divide soup and clams among bowls. Top with scallions.

    2 min