Warm Zucchini Janchi-guksu (Korean Noodle Soup)
Warm Zucchini Janchi-guksu (Korean Noodle Soup)
Autumn/Winter Special! Easy Janchi-guksu Recipe with Zucchini Topping and Coin Broth Base
While I love cold bibim-guksu, as the weather cools down, a warm bowl of Janchi-guksu is simply irresistible. Today, I’m sharing a super simple recipe that uses convenient coin broth and just stir-fried zucchini for toppings. This Zucchini Janchi-guksu turned out to be a surprisingly delightful dish! It’s comforting, flavorful, and perfect for a chilly day.
Main Ingredients- 1/2 zucchini
- 1 handful dried shrimp (for broth)
- 1 serving somen noodles
Seasoning & Topping Ingredients- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp dried shrimp powder
- 1.5 Tbsp minced garlic (0.5 Tbsp for stir-fry, 1 Tbsp for seasoning)
- 2 coin broth cubes
- 0.5-1 Tbsp fish sauce (for seasoning, adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp chopped red and green chili peppers (optional)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp dried shrimp powder
- 1.5 Tbsp minced garlic (0.5 Tbsp for stir-fry, 1 Tbsp for seasoning)
- 2 coin broth cubes
- 0.5-1 Tbsp fish sauce (for seasoning, adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp chopped red and green chili peppers (optional)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the zucchini thoroughly, trim the ends, and julienne it thinly. Slicing them thinly will ensure they become tender and blend well into the soup when cooked.
Step 2
Heat 2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the julienned zucchini, 1 Tbsp of dried shrimp powder, and 0.5 Tbsp of minced garlic. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until the zucchini turns slightly translucent and tender. The dried shrimp powder and garlic will infuse the zucchini with a wonderful aroma and flavor.
Step 3
In a pot, bring 500ml of water to a boil. Add 2 coin broth cubes and let them dissolve to create the broth. Using coin broth makes it quick and easy to achieve a deep, savory flavor. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and season with 0.5-1 Tbsp of fish sauce to your liking. (You can substitute with soup soy sauce if preferred).
Step 4
In a small bowl, combine 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 1 Tbsp chopped red and green chili peppers (add for a touch of heat if desired), and 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Mix well to create a flavorful seasoning sauce. Taste a little of the sauce; it should be savory and delicious.
Step 5
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 serving of somen noodles and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, immediately rinse the noodles under cold running water multiple times to remove excess starch. Drain them thoroughly and arrange them neatly in a serving bowl.
Step 6
Top the chilled noodles generously with the stir-fried zucchini. Place about 1-2 Tbsp of the prepared seasoning sauce next to the zucchini. Ladle the warm broth over everything, and your delightful Zucchini Janchi-guksu is ready to be enjoyed! Savor the warmth and delicious flavors.
