Korean Soy Sauce Noodles (Ganjang Bibim Guksu)

Today, let’s make Korean Soy Sauce Noodles (Ganjang Bibim Guksu). Although there are so many great noodle dishes around the world, once you try this dish, you will find yourself making it every summer. Yes, it’s that simple, easy, and insanely delicious!

GANJANG BIBIM GUKSU (2 servings)

Ingredients:

• 2 green onions
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cucumber
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 1/2 tbsp neutral-tasting oil
• 7 oz (200g) ground beef (or pork, chicken, etc.)
• 7 oz (200g) Korean dried wheat noodles (joongmyeon or somyeon noodles) (or buckwheat noodles, spaghetti noodles, etc.)
• Soft-Boiled Eggs, to serve

Sauce for Beef Topping:

• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1/2 tbsp mirin
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• Black pepper, to taste

Sauce for Noodles:

• 3 tbsp soy sauce, divided
• 2 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp light corn syrup (or honey)
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• Black pepper, to taste
• Small pinch of MSG (optional)

Instructions:

PREP INGREDIENTS

1. Thinly slice the green onions. Finely chop the garlic cloves. Julienne the cucumber.

2. Grind the sesame seeds with a mortar and pestle. (If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, put them in a ziplock bag and break them down with a saucepan.)

MAKE SAUCES

1. In a small container, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, mirin, sugar, finely chopped garlic, sesame oil, and black pepper to taste.

2. In a separate container, combine 3 tablespoons of soy sauce along with the vinegar, sugar, corn syrup, sesame oil, black pepper, and MSG (if using).

COOK GANJANG BIBIM GUKSU

1. In a wok (or pan), heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once it’s heated, add the ground beef.  Spread it out and leave it in the pan for 1 to 2 minutes or until the beef is nicely browned on the bottom.

2. Flip and break up the beef. Stir-fry it for 2 minutes. When the beef is cooked, pour in the sauce and keep tossing it around for 1 to 2 minutes. (Add a splash more oil if needed.) Turn the heat off and set aside. 

3. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Give them a quick rinse under cold water and remove some starch from the noodles. Drain well.

ASSEMBLE

1. In a mixing bowl, add the drained noodles, beef, and sauce. Mix well with your hand. Taste and add some more salt or soy sauce. (For your information, I added more soy sauce (1/2 tbsp). 

2. Divide the noodles into bowls. Top with cucumber, green onions and soft-boiled eggs. (If you have some salad greens or microgreens in your fridge, you can add more.) Sprinkle on some ground sesame seeds. Enjoy!

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