Korean Noodle Recipes: Spice Up Your Taste Buds

It is a clear fact that we have all been enchanted by k-pop and K-dramas, and one facet of Korean culture that is impossible to miss is how passionately they love noodles.

Noodles have been a significant part of Korean food and culture since the Three Kingdoms period (57BC-AD668). Yet, because wheat supply was scarce, most noodles were produced from vegetables and legumes.

Noodles are considered a staple in Korean cuisine. In Korean temple food, for instance, the dish kong guksu (wheat noodles in cold soybean soup) is known as the “monastic smile,” since it is claimed to make monks smile.

Korean long noodles are also associated with long life and long-lasting marriage and are consumed on special occasions such as birthdays and weddings, just like Korean Pizzas.

Recipe to Make Spicy Korean Noodles: How to Guide

Spicy Korean noodles, also known as “japchae,” is a popular dish in Korean cuisine that is easy to make and bursting with flavor. This dish is typically made with sweet potato noodles, vegetables, and a spicy sauce that adds a kick of heat to the dish.

In this recipe, we will show you how to make simple spicy Korean noodles that you can enjoy as a quick and easy meal at home. Whether you are a fan of spicy food or just looking to try something new, this recipe is sure to satisfy your taste buds. So let’s get started. The ingredients are listed below:

1. Noodles

This recipe call for udon noodles, ramen noodles, and glass noodles, but you may substitute them with egg noodles.

2. Meat

Your choice of beef or chicken. To make the meal vegetarian, replace the beef with fried tofu slices or eliminate it.

3. Veggies

Get cabbage, carrots, and mushrooms, although there are many additional possibilities, such as spinach. Don’t forget Chopped Green onions which are a common garnish for all Korean cuisines.

4. Eggs

The ideal combo is the soft runny egg with the savory flavor of the gochujang noodle sauce.

5. Garlic

Another must-have for nearly all Korean cuisine.

6. Spicy Eel Sauce

Eel Sauce is a must for simple spicy Korean noodles.

7. Gochujang paste (fermented Korean red pepper paste)

The main component that contributes to the spicy and warm taste

8. Soy sauce

It can be normal or mild. Avoid it since it will overpower the sauce.

9. Rice vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can be used as an alternative.

10. Sesame oil

It can be substituted for peanut or walnut oil

11. Gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)

This can be used to increase the spiciness. Crushed red pepper, cayenne pepper, or extra gochujang can be substituted.

12. Honey

Adds the perfect sweetness to contrast the spiciness of the sauce

Steps on How to Make Korean Noodles

Step 1- Boil the noodles

Boil the noodles until soft yet firm. Remove the water, and rinse the cooked noodles once or twice with cold water. This makes them extra chewy. Set aside.

Step 2- Prepare the sauce

To make the sauce, combine gochujang, soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil in a small mixing bowl.

Step 3- Cook vegetables

Heat vegetable oil in a wok or nonstick pan. Cook garlic and green onions over medium heat until they’re fragrant. Stir in the thinly cut carrots and cabbage. Cook for another 2 to 4 minutes on medium heat.

Step 4- Combine all ingredients

Stir the cooked noodles into the vegetables and add the sauce. Stir everything together and cook on low heat for 1-2 minutes, or until all ingredients are completely infused with the sauce.

Step 5- Serve

Shift the noodles on the serving dishes. Serve garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

Also Read: Frozen Kids Meals

Other Spicy Korean Noodle Recipes

RECIPE 1: SPICY KOREAN UDON NOODLES

Ingredients

• 1 lb udon noodles
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 small carrot thinly sliced
• 1 small cabbage thinly chopped
• 4 green onions chopped

For Sauce

• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions

1. Cook the udon noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Combine the sauce ingredients and set aside.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or nonstick skillet over medium flame. Cook the green onions and garlic until aromatic.
4. Add remaining vegetables and cook for 2-4 minutes.
5. Mix in the cooked noodles and sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes before removing from the heat.

RECIPE 2: SPICY GLASS NOODLES (JAPCHAE)

Ingredients

• 1 lb Japchae noodles (also called “glass noodles” or “sweet potato noodles”)
• 1 lb beef
• 1 lb mushrooms
• 2 medium carrots
• 1 bunch of green onions
• 1 bunch spinach

For Sauce

• 6 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons gochugaru
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Cut thin slices of beef against the grain. Cut the vegetables into similar pieces.
2. Boil noodles according to package directions.
3. Prepare a wok over medium heat with oil. Cook the mushrooms and carrots separately and set aside.
4. Whisk all of the sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Cook the beef slices in the wok until a brown crust is formed.
5. Distribute the sauce over the meat. Let the meat boil in the sauce for a few minutes.
6. Combine the noodles and vegetables and toss everything together. Cook for 5 minutes more after adding spinach and stirring.

RECIPE 3: SPICY RAMEN NOODLES

Ingredients

• 1 packet of instant ramen noodles

For Sauce

• 1 tablespoon gochujang
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon gochugaru
• 1-2 tablespoons chopped spring onions
• ½-1 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1½ tablespoons sesame oil

Instructions

1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside, keeping some of the noodle water.
2. In a heat-resistant bowl, combine the gochugaru, garlic, sesame seeds, and spring onions.
3. Heat the sesame oil in a pan over a low flame. Once boiling, pour over the chili-garlic combination. Let it sizzle for a few minutes before whisking in the other ingredients.
4. Toss in the noodles and add a splash of the noodle water. Stir until equally combined.

3 Pro-Tips to Make the Spicy Korean Ramen

• Don’t overcook the vegetables. Slightly crunchy vegetables that are not overcooked contrast nicely with the soft texture of the noodles.
• Serve with a fried egg on top. Adding a fried egg to the noodles shortly before serving not only makes them more filling but also improves their flavor.
• Don’t leave out the gochujang. Gochujang sauce is not something you often have on hand, but it gives a special taste to your dish.

Conclusion

Korean cuisine is well-known for its spicy and delicious meals, and noodle dishes are no exception. The three hot Korean noodle recipes listed in the blog are outstanding representations of the country’s culinary skills. These recipes are simple to prepare and offer a flavor of Korea’s varied culinary landscape.

FAQs