Soup
미역국 Miyeokguk
A light soup of soft seaweed and beef, eaten with rice and often served on birthdays.
Spice: Not spicy
Guk (soup)
육개장 Yukgaejang
A spicy red soup of shredded beef and green onions, eaten with rice as a full meal.
- Spicy Beef Soup
- Spice: Hot
- Contains beef
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Shredded beef, green onion, bracken fern, bean sprouts, chili powder |
| How it's served | Boiling hot in a bowl, with rice, kimchi and side dishes |
| Spice level | Hot — Very spicy, even for many Koreans. |
| Diet | Contains beef — Beef or beef stock is a standard ingredient. |
| Allergens | Soy · Wheat · Sesame |
| Ask about | Beaten egg and glass noodles are often added; some versions use chicken instead of beef. |
| On the menu | 육개장 (Yukgaejang) |
| Also called | yukgejang · yukkaejang · yook gae jang · spicy shredded beef soup |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Spicy Beef Soup
Let it cool a little
The soup arrives very hot. Stir it and take small spoonfuls of broth first.
Eat the beef and vegetables
Pick up the shredded beef, green onion and fern stems with chopsticks or your spoon.
Add rice to the soup
Put spoonfuls of rice into the broth, or eat the rice on the side to cool the heat.
How to order it
Order it as 육개장. It comes as a single portion with rice, so one person can order it alone.
- On the menu: 육개장
- Usually sold: 1 serving, with rice
Where it comes from
Yukgaejang is a traditional dish for boknal, the hottest days of summer, but people eat it all year. Eating a hot soup in hot weather follows the old idea of fighting heat with heat.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (encykorea.aks.ac.kr)
Similar dishes
Questions about Spicy Beef Soup
Is yukgaejang vegetarian?
No. It is made with beef and beef broth, and some versions use chicken instead.
How spicy is yukgaejang?
Hot. The red broth is very spicy, even for many Koreans, and most places make it in advance, so a milder bowl is rarely possible.
Can you eat yukgaejang alone?
Yes. It comes as a single portion with rice, so solo diners often order it.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 25, 2026