Korean Birthday Seaweed Soup

This soup is traditionally served on someone's birthday. When women in Korean give birth, they are fed seaweed soup, Mi yuk guk [미역국] –Korean birthday soup – as it is seen as the healthiest post-partum food to eat.
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Ingredients:

• 1 oz package dried seaweed “wakame”
  
• ¼ pound beef tip sirloin, cut into ½ inch pieces
  
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  
• 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
  
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  
• 6 cups water
  

Method:

1. Soak seaweed in water to cover, for 10-15 minutes. When soft, drain, and cut into 2 inch pieces.
   
2. Heat a saucepan over medium heat; add beef, sesame oil, 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce, and a little salt, and cook for 1 minute.
   
3. Stir in seaweed and remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce; cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
   
4. Pour in 2 cups water, and bring to a boil. Stir in garlic and remaining 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat. Simmer for 20 minutes. Season to taste with salt. Enjoy!