Spicy and Sweet Bibim Guksu (Korean Mixed Noodles)
Spicy and Sweet Bibim Guksu (Korean Mixed Noodles)
A Delightful Bibim Guksu Recipe for the Whole Family: Spicy, Sweet, and Savory Noodles
Here’s a special Bibim Guksu recipe that my youngest child loves the most. This simple yet satisfying noodle dish is sure to capture everyone’s taste buds!
Noodle Ingredients- Somen noodles, 4 servings (approx. 320g)
- Carrot, 1/2 medium (approx. 50g)
- Eggs, 2
- Well-fermented kimchi, 2 handfuls (approx. 150g)
- Small cabbage, 2 leaves (approx. 50g)
- Onion, 1/4 small (approx. 30g)
Seasoning Sauce- Coarse sea salt, 2 pinches (for boiling water)
- White sugar or granulated sugar, 2 Tbsp
- Soy sauce (jin ganjang), 3.5 Tbsp
- Sesame oil, 2 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds, 2 Tbsp
- Coarse sea salt, 2 pinches (for boiling water)
- White sugar or granulated sugar, 2 Tbsp
- Soy sauce (jin ganjang), 3.5 Tbsp
- Sesame oil, 2 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds, 2 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, bring a large pot of water to a boil. While the water heats up, thinly julienne the carrot. Crack the eggs into a bowl, add a pinch of salt, and whisk until well combined.
Step 2
Before adding the somen noodles to the boiling water, gather the noodles with your thumb and index finger to create a bundle about the size of a circle formed by these fingers. Gently place the bundle into the water.
Step 3
Immediately stir the noodles with chopsticks to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot. This step is crucial to ensure the noodles don’t clump together.
Step 4
When the noodles are almost cooked (about 7-9 minutes), add another pinch of coarse sea salt to the noodle water. In a separate pan, heat a generous amount of olive oil over high heat and stir-fry the julienned carrots.
Step 5
Once the carrots are slightly tender, reduce the heat to medium and continue to stir-fry. Cook until they are tender-crisp, retaining some crunch, and be careful not to burn them.
Step 6
Once the noodles are perfectly cooked, quickly drain them and rinse thoroughly under cold running water to remove excess starch. Drain them well in a colander. This process ensures the noodles remain springy and don’t become mushy.
Step 7
Lightly grease the pan used for the carrots with a little olive oil. Pour in the whisked egg mixture and cook over low heat. Use chopsticks to swirl the egg, creating a thin omelet.
Step 8
Carefully flip the omelet and cook the other side. Turn off the heat and let it cool slightly on the pan before julienning it into thin strips. (Tip: Leftover egg mixture can be microwaved for about 30 seconds to make a small steamed egg for added enjoyment.)
Step 9
Heat a little olive oil in the pan and add the julienned cabbage. Stir-fry over medium heat until the cabbage softens and becomes slightly sweet.
Step 10
Add about 1/2 Tbsp of olive oil to the same pan, then add the chopped kimchi and stir-fry over medium heat. This step mellows the kimchi’s acidity and enhances its savory flavor. Adding a touch of sugar while stir-frying kimchi makes it even more delicious.
Step 11
Take the julienned egg omelet prepared earlier and julienne it again lightly. Be careful not to cut too thinly, as it might break apart.
Step 12
Add the julienned onion to the pan with a bit of olive oil and stir-fry over medium heat until golden brown and fragrant. Stir-frying the onion brings out its natural sweetness and adds depth to the Bibim Guksu. (Tip: Using leftover cooked onion from lunch makes this step even quicker!)
Step 13
Now, it’s time to mix all the delicious ingredients! To one serving of cooked somen noodles, add the stir-fried kimchi and the seasoning sauce ingredients: 1/2 Tbsp sugar (or당원), 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil, and a pinch of sesame seeds. Mix well first to let the sauce coat the noodles.
Step 14
Add the stir-fried carrots, cabbage, onion, and julienned egg omelet to the seasoned noodles. Gently toss everything together until well combined. Avoid overmixing, as it can make the noodles mushy.
Step 15
This recipe makes approximately 2 servings of Bibim Guksu. (Note: While the ingredient quantities are for 4 servings, this is more than enough for a generous 2-serving meal.)
Step 16
Eating this after a long time made it taste even better! We all slurped it up happily, enjoying every bite. The whole family finished their bowls with delight.
Step 17
Pairing this spicy and sweet Bibim Guksu with a hearty meat dish creates a truly exceptional meal. It’s a perfect combination for a satisfying feast!
