Summer Delight! Refreshing Janchi Naengguksu Recipe
A Delicious and Refreshing Janchi Naengguksu Recipe
This Janchi Naengguksu (Korean banquet cold noodles) is a perfect summer dish, featuring the cool, umami-rich anchovy broth paired with chewy somen noodles and colorful toppings. It’s a delightful noodle dish that’s perfect for hot weather. Enjoy the satisfying chewiness of the noodles, the deep flavor of the broth, and the fun of adding various toppings! You can enjoy a wonderful Janchi Guksu at home.
Noodle and Topping Ingredients
- Somen noodles, for 2 servings
- 1 Egg
- 1 bunch Chives
- A little julienned carrot
- A pinch of salt (for seasoning chives, egg, and carrot)
- A little sesame oil (for dressing chives)
Seasoning Sauce Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Soup soy sauce (Gukganjang)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Minced green onion
- 1 Tbsp Red chili flakes (Gochugaru)
- 0.5 Tbsp Sugar
- A little sesame oil
Anchovy Broth Ingredients
- 1 Dried anchovy broth bag (or dried anchovies, kelp)
- 4 Cups Water
- 2 Tbsp Soup soy sauce (Gukganjang)
- A pinch of salt (for adjusting seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Soup soy sauce (Gukganjang)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Minced green onion
- 1 Tbsp Red chili flakes (Gochugaru)
- 0.5 Tbsp Sugar
- A little sesame oil
Anchovy Broth Ingredients
- 1 Dried anchovy broth bag (or dried anchovies, kelp)
- 4 Cups Water
- 2 Tbsp Soup soy sauce (Gukganjang)
- A pinch of salt (for adjusting seasoning)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
1. In a pot, combine 4 cups of water and the dried anchovy broth bag (or dried anchovies and kelp). Bring to a boil over high heat. 2. Once boiling, reduce to medium heat and simmer for another 5 minutes to extract a deep flavor. Then, remove and discard the broth bag (or anchovies and kelp).
Step 2
Add 2 Tbsp of soup soy sauce and a pinch of salt to the strained anchovy broth to lightly season it. It’s crucial to let the hot broth cool completely in the refrigerator. This ensures you get the perfectly refreshing taste of Janchi Naengguksu.
Step 3
In a bowl, combine all the seasoning sauce ingredients: 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp soup soy sauce, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp minced green onion, 1 Tbsp red chili flakes, 0.5 Tbsp sugar, and a little sesame oil. Mix well with a spoon to create a delicious seasoning sauce. This sauce will enhance the overall flavor of the noodles.
Step 4
Blanch the washed chives briefly in boiling water. Once wilted, immediately rinse them under cold water and squeeze out excess moisture. Place the blanched chives in a bowl, add a pinch of salt and a little sesame oil, and gently mix. This will create fragrant seasoned chives.
Step 5
Lightly season the egg with salt, then heat a little oil in a pan and cook a thin omelet. Once cooked, roll it up and thinly julienne it to prepare the decorative egg garnish.
Step 6
Julienne the carrot thinly. Add a pinch of salt to boiling water and blanch the julienned carrots for about 30 seconds. Be careful not to overcook them, as you want to maintain a crisp texture. Rinse under cold water and pat dry.
Step 7
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the somen noodles for 2 servings and cook until al dente and chewy. Typically, this takes about 3-4 minutes, but cook until the noodles are translucent and have a satisfying chew. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 8
Drain the cooked somen noodles in a colander and immediately immerse them in prepared ice water to cool them down rapidly. This step makes the noodles even chewier and ensures they are perfectly cold to complement the broth. Shake off excess water before serving.
Step 9
Pour the chilled anchovy broth generously into deep noodle bowls. Once the cold broth is ready, neatly arrange the cooked somen noodles in the bowl. Place them so the cold broth envelops the noodles.
Step 10
Finally, artfully arrange the seasoned chives, julienned egg garnish, and julienned carrots around the noodles. This is the crowning glory of Janchi Naengguksu! Serve the accompanying seasoning sauce in a small separate dish, allowing diners to add more to their preference. Now it’s time to enjoy your refreshing and delicious Janchi Naengguksu!
