Spicy & Sweet Bibim Kalguksu: A Flavorful Noodle Dish
Spicy & Sweet Bibim Kalguksu: A Flavorful Noodle Dish
Guide to Making Bibim Kalguksu (Spicy Mixed Noodles): The Perfect Sauce Ratio and Crunchy Vegetable Combination
Are you looking for a quick and satisfying meal when you have no side dishes or appetite? Bibim Guksu (spicy mixed noodles) might be the perfect answer! Its sweet and sour sauce awakens your taste buds, and adding crisp vegetables makes it even more delightful. Today, I’m sharing a recipe for Bibim Kalguksu that’s even more delicious than regular Bibim Guksu. I used to enjoy this dish at Gwangjang Market, and recently, I saw actor Koo Sung-hwan make it on ‘I Live Alone,’ which inspired me to try it myself. While he used pear juice, we might not always have that on hand. So, I’ve created a version using ingredients readily available at home! This Bibim Kalguksu, also known as ‘Kal-Bibim-Myeon’ (Spicy Mixed Knife Noodles), is easy to make and guaranteed to be delicious. Follow along to learn how!
Essential Ingredients- 200g Fresh Kalguksu noodles
- 1 pack (5g) Dosirak Kim (lunchbox seaweed)
Optional Ingredients (for added flavor and texture)- 1/4 Onion
- 1 handful Cabbage
- 1 handful Chives
- Leafy greens (lettuce, perilla leaves, chicory, etc., to your preference)
Bibim Kalguksu Sauce- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Maesil-cheong (plum extract)
- 0.3 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
- 1.5 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1/4 Onion
- 1 handful Cabbage
- 1 handful Chives
- Leafy greens (lettuce, perilla leaves, chicory, etc., to your preference)
Bibim Kalguksu Sauce- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Maesil-cheong (plum extract)
- 0.3 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
- 1.5 Tbsp Sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the fresh Kalguksu noodles. Once the water starts boiling again, pour in a little cold water to briefly cool it down. Repeat this process 1-2 times to cook the noodles until they are chewy and firm. This technique helps achieve a perfectly al dente texture. After cooking, immediately drain the noodles and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water, gently rubbing them with your hands. This removes excess starch and prevents the noodles from sticking together, ensuring a delightful, springy texture.
Step 2
Prepare your vegetables by thinly slicing them into long, bite-sized strips. Aim for a fine julienne cut so they mix well with the noodles and provide a pleasant crunch. Crumble the Dosirak Kim (lunchbox seaweed) into small pieces by opening the packet and using your hands.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the fantastic Bibim Kalguksu sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients except for the sesame oil. Stir them together thoroughly until well combined. Feel free to adjust the amount of vinegar or sugar to suit your personal preference for sweetness and tanginess. For a spicier kick, you can add a little more Gochugaru.
Step 4
Make a generous batch of the sauce, but start by adding only what you need to mix with the noodles. Gently toss the noodles with the sauce until evenly coated. Drizzle in the sesame oil and mix again. This adds a wonderful nutty aroma and enhances the overall flavor.
Step 5
Transfer the mixed Kalguksu noodles to a wide, shallow bowl. Artfully arrange the prepared vegetables on top. For an extra touch, consider adding a halved hard-boiled egg. If you find the seasoning needs a little adjustment, use the remaining sauce to taste and mix everything together for a truly delicious meal!
