Bibim guksu represents the lighter side of Korean noodle dishes, where thin wheat noodles are tossed in a vibrant, spicy sauce that perfectly balances heat, sweetness, and acidity. This refreshing Korean spicy mixed noodles dish showcases Korea’s love for contrasting flavors and temperatures, offering a cool yet spicy noodle dish that’s particularly popular during warm summer months.
What makes bibim guksu particularly special is its simplicity and adaptability. Unlike more complex noodle dishes, this one relies on a perfectly balanced sauce and minimal toppings to create a satisfying meal. The combination of cold noodles with the spicy korean red pepper flake (gochugaru)-based sauce demonstrates how Korean cuisine can create exciting flavors with just a few key ingredients.
In modern Korean dining, bibim guksu has become increasingly popular as a quick, light meal option. Whether enjoyed as a simple lunch, late-night meal, or summer dinner, these spicy mixed noodles continue to offer a perfect balance of flavor and satisfaction while being easier to prepare than many other Korean noodle dishes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy
- Light yet satisfying
- Perfect summer meal
- Budget-friendly
- Customizable spice level
- Ready in 15 minutes
What is Bibim Guksu?
Bibim guksu (비빔국수) is Korean spicy mixed noodles, featuring thin wheat noodles tossed in a spicy-sweet sauce. The name combines “bibim” (mixed) with “guksu” (noodles), creating a simpler, lighter cousin to the traditional bibimbap.
Korean Spicy Mixed Noodles
Ingredients
For the Noodles:
- 8 oz thin wheat noodles somyeon
- 1 cucumber julienned
- 1 hard-boiled egg per serving
- 1 sheet(s) roasted seaweed (nori) shredded
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
For the Sauce:
- 4 tbsp kimchi brine
- 1/2 cup kimchi chopped
- 2 tbsp korean red pepper paste (gochujang)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cook Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add noodles and cook according to package directions until just tender (usually 3-4 minutes for somyeon).
- Cool Noodles: Immediately drain noodles and rinse thoroughly under cold running water until completely cooled. Drain again and set aside in refrigerator.
- Make Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Whisk until sugar completely dissolves and sauce is smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Prepare Toppings: While noodles chill, julienne the cucumber into thin matchsticks. Slice hard-boiled eggs into rounds. Shred seaweed into thin strips. Finely chop green onions.
- Assemble: Place chilled noodles in serving bowls. Pour sauce over noodles and toss thoroughly until evenly coated.
- Garnish: Top each bowl with cucumber julienne, egg slices, and shredded seaweed. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve: Present immediately while noodles are still cold for the best experience.
Notes
Recipe Tips
- Cook noodles al dente
- Rinse noodles thoroughly
- Adjust sauce to taste
- Use fresh ingredients
- Prepare sauce ahead
- Serve immediately
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:- Extra gochugaru
- Kimchi
- Cold soup (mul naengmyeon broth)
- Korean side dishes
- Additional vegetables
- Ice-cold water
Variations
- Less spicy version
- Add protein (chicken/tofu)
- Different vegetables
- Cold broth on side
- Extra toppings
- Vegetarian/vegan option
Storage
- Best eaten fresh
- Store components separately
- Sauce keeps 1 week refrigerated
- Don’t store mixed noodles
- Make fresh noodles when serving
- Keep vegetables separate
Nutrition
Find more great Nosh With David Recipes, including authentic Korean recipes like this one, at https://www.noshwithdavid.com/recipes/
Key ingredients from this recipe include:
Sempio Soy Sauce
Kadoya Sesame Oil
Marukan Rice Vinegar
Shirakiku Roasted Sesame Seeds
Taekyung Korean Chili Flakes
O’Food Mild Gochujang
Need help with what ingredients to stock? Check out My Essential Korean Pantry article. This article describes each essential ingredient with links to where you can buy them easily!
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