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    Home » Recipes » 30-Minutes or Less

    Kimchi Bibim Guksu (Spicy Korean Cold Noodles)

    Published: Aug 4, 2021 by Mikha S. · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Whip up a refreshing bowl of Kimchi Bibim Guksu, spicy Korean cold noodles that'll fuel you up while beating the heat in just 15-minutes! This last-minute Korean dish is tangy, healthy, and so simple to put together that any beginner will feel like a pro in the kitchen!

    Holding a bowl of bibim guksu with a mixture of vegetables.
    Jump to:
    • What is Bibim Guksu Made of?
    • How to Make It
    • Variations & Substitutions
    • What to Serve with Bibim Guksu
    • Kimchi Bibim Guksu (Spicy Korean Cold Noodles)
    • ⭐ Comments

    Many noodles dishes can leave you feeling heavy and sluggish, but this dish is the exception to the rule! Kimchi Bibim Guksu noodles are so refreshing, spicy, and tangy… It’s the perfect summer dish when you want something light but still need noodles in your life.

    If you have a few extra minutes, you can serve up these spicy Korean cold noodles with some easy Korean Soft Steamed Eggs or Spicy Braised Tofu for extra protein.

    What is Bibim Guksu Made of?

    Bibim Guksu is made of thin chewy wheat noodles tossed in a quick, light, and tangy sauce that ties everything together. Here's what you'll need:

    • Soy Sauce: Adds saltiness along with the depth of flavor. You can use low-sodium or regular soy sauce.
    • Gochujang: You can buy it in various spice levels depending on how spicy you like your food. Keep in mind that you can always make it spicier with chili flakes, but if it's too spicy, you may need to add more honey to dilute the heat.
    • Gochugaru: These Korean chili flakes are mild and help thicken your sauce, along with the gochujang.
    • Honey: The gochujang adds some sweetness already, so I add just a touch of honey since I don't have much of a sweet tooth, however, adjust the sauce to your liking! If you prefer your sauce sweeter, add more honey.
    • Sesame Oil: A little goes a long way here for a subtle nutty depth of flavor.
    • Rice Vinegar: Just a splash helps balance the sweetness of the honey and gochujang.
    • Kimchi & Kimchi Brine: Kimchi and its brine add a burst of freshness throughout the Bibim Guksu. If you could use aged kimchi, you'll have a more flavorful sauce.
    Ingredients for kimchi bibim guksu.

    Noodles

    Typically, kimchi Bibim Guksu is made with thin wheat noodles, such as somyeon or somen noodles, which could be found at local Asian markets. They're thin, cook quickly, and pair so well with the refreshing sauce.

    If you have trouble finding them, you can use buckwheat or soba noodles instead. Just keep in mind - the thinner the noodles, the more attention they'll need while cooking to avoid overcooking.

    No one likes mushy noodles!

    How to Make It

    Step 1: Make the Sauce

    In a mixing bowl, combine all of the sauce ingredients until smooth, then set aside

    Mixing together sauce ingredients for bibim guksu.

    Step 2: Cook Noodles

    Boil a pot of water and boil noodles according to the package instructions. Typically, it shouldn't take more than a few minutes but be sure to keep an eye on them, especially if they're very thin because they'll cook quickly.

    Once they're done, drain the noodles and either rinse or submerge them under cold water. This stops the cooking process and makes them cold for the dish.

    Boiling noodles and submerging in ice cold water for Korean spicy cold noodles.

    Step: 3 Toss Together

    Combine the noodles and sauce until fully coated.

    Optional, if you have the extra time, you can add on toppings to make it an even more robust meal! See the "Variations & Substitutions" section below for more ideas.

    Chopsticks mixing together Korean spicy cold noodles in a bowl.

    Variations & Substitutions

    Keep your Kimchi Bibim Guksu as simple or veggie-packed as you'd like! When I'm in a rush, I'll typically enjoy the noodles and sauce as is and it's delicious.

    If I have the extra time though, I'll toss in more veggies and protein for exciting colors and textures! Here are a few ideas:

    • Seared meat
    • Soft boiled eggs
    • Sliced cucumbers
    • Nori (seaweed) sheets
    • Kimchi
    • Green onions
    • Shredded lettuce
    • Shredded cabbage
    • Salad greens
    • Thinly cut bell peppers
    • Shredded carrots
    • Toasted sesame seeds
    • More kimchi!

    What to Serve with Bibim Guksu

    Small plate of kimchi bibim guksu topped with an egg, kimchi, and sliced cucumbers.

    These spicy Korean cold noodles are SO good on their own as a filling meal or even as a refreshing side dish. Here are a few other entrees that pair well with these popular Korean noodles:

    • White oval plate with Kalbi topped with sesame seeds & green onions on a white table.
      Korean Marinated Flanken Short Ribs - Kalbi
    • Miso salmon on a bed of white rice and steamed spinach in a black bowl.
      Air Fryer Miso-Glazed Salmon
    • Spoon holding korean marinated egg with aromatics on top.
      Korean Marinated Eggs (Mayak Soy Sauce Eggs)
    • White bowl of korean fried chicken topped with sesame seeds and green onions.
      Korean Fried Chicken (Dakgangjeong)

    Let's Get Cooking!

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    For drool-worthy step-by-step videos, follow along @MikhaEats on Instagram & Tiktok - and don't forget to tag @MikhaEats for a chance to be featured!

    Chopsticks lifting bibim guksu noodles from bowl.

    Kimchi Bibim Guksu (Spicy Korean Cold Noodles)

    Author: Mikha S.
    Course: Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Asian, Korean
    Have a tangy, savory, and refreshing bowl of Kimchi Bibim Guksu in just 15 minutes! These spicy Korean cold noodles are perfect for the summer when you want something filling without feeling heavy.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 5 minutes mins
    Total Time: 15 minutes mins
    Servings: 1 serving
    Calories: 518 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Ingredients

    • 4 oz thin wheat noodles
    • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
    • ⅛ cup cabbage kimchi roughly chopped
    • ¼ small cucumber julienned, optional for serving

    Sauce

    • 1 tablespoons gochujang
    • ½ tablespoon gochugaru Korean chili flakes, add less if you don’t like spicy
    • 1 ½ tablespoon kimchi brine
    • ½ tablespoon rice vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
    • 1 teaspoon honey*
    • 1 tablespoon cold ginger ale optional

    Instructions
     

    • In a serving bowl, combine sauce ingredients. Set aside.
    • Bring a pot of water to a boil then cook noodles according to packages’ instructions. Drain and rinse the or submerge the noodles in cold water to stop the cooking process.
    • Toss noodles in sauce and top with sesame seeds, kimchi, and cucumber, if desired. Enjoy!
    Last Step: Please tap to leave a rating & comment sharing how you liked the recipe! This helps us create high-quality content for you & a food-loving community where we can all learn from each other 🙂

    Notes

    • Noodles: For quick recipes like this, I highly recommend using fresh noodles because they cook much faster than dry noodles! I use fresh wheat noodles for this recipe but feel free to swap it out with any fresh noodles you'd like. I get mine from my local Asian market in the refrigerated section.
    • Gochujang: You can find it at local Asian and Korean markets and comes in various spice levels. It's becoming so popular that sometimes it's even in the Asian section of local grocery stores.
    • Honey: I like adding just a touch of honey since I don't have much of a sweet tooth and the gochujang also has sweetness, however, taste the sauce and add more honey if you like your sauce sweeter.
    • Toppings: Bulster your meal with additional vegetables and protein for even more nutrients, such as kimchi, thinly sliced cucumber, or boiled eggs. See the "Substitutions & Variations" section above for more topping ideas!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 310gCalories: 518kcalCarbohydrates: 102gProtein: 20gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 1088mgPotassium: 542mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1376IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 98mgIron: 6mg

    Exact calculations may vary. For the most accurate nutritional information, use your preferred nutrition calculator, actual ingredients, and quantities used for the recipe. Please consult with your physician or registered dietitian if more precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

    Mikha using chopsticks to eat a bowl of noodles.

    HEY, I'M MIKHA!

    ...A fellow food lover who believes anyone can whip up a delicious meal - no matter your skill level! These quick & easy Asian recipes will help you transform simple ingredients into a drool-worthy meal for you & the people you love most - without spending all day in the kitchen.

    Now come on - Grab a seat & let's eat!

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