Refreshing and Spicy-Sweet Bibim Kalguksu (Korean Noodle Salad)
Refreshing and Spicy-Sweet Bibim Kalguksu (Korean Noodle Salad)
The Ultimate Golden Recipe for Bibim Kalguksu
Here’s a refreshing, spicy, and sweet Bibim Kalguksu recipe that will awaken your appetite. ^=^.
Noodle Ingredients- 1 serving of Kalguksu noodles (fresh or dried)
- 4 lettuce leaves (washed clean)
- 1/5 cucumber (thinly sliced)
- 1 hard-boiled egg (for garnish)
Spicy and Sweet Sauce- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Maesilcheong (Korean plum syrup)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Maesilcheong (Korean plum syrup)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s perfectly boil the egg for garnish. Fill a pot with enough water to cover the egg, and add about a teaspoon of coarse salt and a teaspoon of vinegar. This helps the shell peel off easily and prevents the egg from cracking. Once the water boils, gently add the egg and boil for about 10-12 minutes. Immediately transfer the boiled egg to cold water to cool down, then carefully peel off the shell and set aside.
Step 2
While the egg is boiling, wash all the fresh vegetables thoroughly and drain them completely. Tear the lettuce leaves into bite-sized pieces and thinly slice the cucumber. Simultaneously, let’s make the key to this dish: the spicy and sweet sauce! In a bowl, combine the gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, sugar, maesilcheong, and sesame oil. Mix well until the sugar is fully dissolved. Making the sauce in advance allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 3
Now, let’s get ready to cook the kalguksu noodles. In a large pot, bring plenty of water to a rolling boil – enough to fully submerge the noodles. While the water is heating up, place the boiled egg (that you prepared earlier) into a bowl of cold water to rapidly cool it. This chilling step makes peeling the egg much easier. Once cooled, peel the egg and set it aside.
Step 4
Once the water is at a rolling boil, carefully add the kalguksu noodles. Use a spatula or chopsticks to gently separate the noodles as they cook, ensuring they don’t stick together. Boil for about 3-5 minutes, or until the noodles are chewy yet tender. (Please adjust the cooking time according to the noodle package instructions.)
Step 5
While the noodles are cooking, let’s finish preparing the other ingredients. Tear the drained lettuce into bite-sized pieces and ensure the sliced cucumber is ready. If you’d like, you can cut the hard-boiled egg in half for a prettier presentation. Having these fresh ingredients ready will enhance both the flavor and texture of your Bibim Kalguksu.
Step 6
Once the noodles are cooked, immediately drain them into a colander. Then, rinse the noodles thoroughly under cold running water to achieve a wonderfully chewy texture. It’s crucial to drain them well after rinsing; this ensures the sauce coats the noodles evenly and prevents a watery dish.
Step 7
Add about two-thirds of the prepared spicy and sweet sauce to the drained, chewy noodles. Gently toss and mix the noodles with your hands until the sauce is evenly distributed. We’re only adding two-thirds of the sauce at this stage so you can adjust the seasoning later when mixing with the vegetables.
Step 8
Now, add the fresh vegetables (lettuce and cucumber) and the remaining sauce to the noodles. Gently mix everything together, being careful not to mash the vegetables. This is the time to taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. The key is to ensure the spicy-sweet sauce coats everything beautifully.
Step 9
Finally, transfer the mixed Bibim Kalguksu to a serving bowl. Garnish with the sliced hard-boiled egg and fresh cucumber slices. Your refreshing, spicy, and sweet Bibim Kalguksu is now complete! Enjoy your delicious meal.
