Refreshing Chogye Guksu (Chicken Cold Noodles)
Easy Homemade Summer Superfood Chogye Guksu Recipe: Cold Noodle Broth Secrets and Topping Preparation
The ultimate summer comfort food at home is cold noodles! While refreshing naengmyeon or milmyeon bought outside are delicious on hot days, they can be quite costly if you eat them frequently. So, I often make refreshing cold noodles at home. This recipe makes them just as delicious as store-bought ones, incredibly simple to prepare, and even gives them a nourishing, restorative feel!
Main Ingredients
- 1 can (approx. 135g) Chicken Breast
- 1 pack of store-bought Dongchimi (Radish Kimchi) Naengmyeon Broth
- 1 cup (200cc) Water
- Vegetable Toppings (thinly julienned cucumber, carrot, cabbage, etc., as per preference)
Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (approx. 10g, leveled)
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar (approx. 16g, brewed vinegar recommended)
- 1/10 Tbsp Umami Salt (approx. 1g)
- 1 Tbsp Soup Soy Sauce (approx. 8g)
- 1/10 Tbsp Prepared Mustard (approx. 1g)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (approx. 10g, leveled)
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar (approx. 16g, brewed vinegar recommended)
- 1/10 Tbsp Umami Salt (approx. 1g)
- 1 Tbsp Soup Soy Sauce (approx. 8g)
- 1/10 Tbsp Prepared Mustard (approx. 1g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 1 pack of store-bought Dongchimi Naengmyeon broth, which should be kept chilled. The Dongchimi broth adds a deep, refreshing sweetness and flavor, so it’s best to use this specific type.
Step 2
Add 200cc (1 cup) of filtered water or plain water to the broth. This helps to gently adjust the broth’s consistency.
Step 3
Add 1 Tbsp of sugar (approx. 10g), leveled off, to the broth. Be careful not to use a heaping spoonful, as it can make the sweetness too strong. Add all the other seasoning ingredients according to the specified amounts.
Step 4
Using brewed vinegar will give you a cleaner taste. Umami salt is recommended over regular salt as it enhances the broth’s savory depth. (Using umami salt instead of regular salt adds MSG components that deepen the broth’s flavor).
Step 5
Add 1 Tbsp of soup soy sauce (approx. 8g). Using soup soy sauce, rather than regular or brewed soy sauce, is crucial for achieving the distinct, clear, and rich broth flavor of Chogye Guksu.
Step 6
Prepared mustard can clump if added directly. It’s best to scoop out a ladleful of broth, dissolve the mustard in it, and then mix it back into the main broth. Stir until all seasonings are well combined. Place the broth in the freezer for about 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours, allowing it to form a semi-frozen slush (sal-eoreum). This slushy texture is key.
Step 7
While the broth is freezing, thinly julienne your chosen vegetables for toppings, such as cucumber, carrot, and cabbage. About a handful per serving is a good amount.
Step 8
After about 2 hours, take the broth out of the freezer and check if it has formed a good semi-frozen slush. If it’s not quite frozen enough, leave it in for a little longer.
Step 9
While keeping the broth thoroughly chilled, prepare 1 can of chicken breast. Set aside the liquid from the can, and drain the chicken breast meat to use as a topping.
Step 10
Scoop out about 3 to 4 tablespoons of the liquid from the chicken breast can and add it to the chilled, semi-frozen broth. Stir well. This liquid will transform the broth, giving it that signature Chogye Guksu flavor. Continue stirring until the broth changes color or its flavor becomes richer. You can add more chicken broth if needed. Return the broth to the freezer for another 30-40 minutes, ensuring the total freezing time is between 2.5 to 3 hours.
Step 11
Cook your noodles, rinse them under cold water, drain thoroughly, and place them in a bowl. Arrange the prepared vegetable toppings attractively over the noodles. You can also add a hard-boiled egg or quail eggs as a garnish.
Step 12
Pour a generous amount of the icy, semi-frozen broth over the noodles. Add a good portion of the chicken breast pieces as well. (If you prefer a larger serving of broth, use only one can of chicken breast but double the broth recipe.) On hot summer days, enjoy this cool and delicious Chogye Guksu at home to beat the heat and nourish yourself!
