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Bibim Guksu (Korean Cold Noodle Salad)

Bibim guksu is a light and delicious cold noodle salad dish. It’s seasoned with spicy, sweet and tangy Korean chilli dressing. If you’re looking for an easy meal with a little bit of zing, this is what you need!

Bibim guksu served with assorted vegetables

Summer Perfect, Spicy Korean Noodle Salad: Bibim Guksu

This bibim guksu is something I am very much enjoying making and eating lately. It is very tasty and moreish. It’s loaded with lots of salads and vegetables, so you can get a good amount of crunchy texture as well.

Besides, it doesn’t require any complicated preparation or cooking, which is a definite bonus point on hot summer days.

bibim guksu served with salad in a clear bowl

What is Bibim Guksu

Bibim guksu / bibimguksu (비빔국수) means mixed noodles; similar to bibimbap (비빔밥) being mixed rice.

Ultimately you can add whatever toppings you would like (or no toppings at all, but that would be so boring!), but as you will see below, this version of bibim guksu is made with loads of vegetables. It looks bulky when you serve, yet it’s a light and very filling meal. 

Its main taste comes from the sauce, which has a slightly spicy, sweet and tangy taste, and the nutty fragrance from the sesame oil is another pleasant experience.

Bibim guksu is a popular summer dish in Korea, because the spicy and sour taste can rejuvenate your lost appetite on drowsy, hot, and humid summer days. 

Adding bibim guksu sauce over assorted salad

More Bibim Noodles

Koreans love mixing things in a bowl and noodles are no different. Check different styles of bibim noodle recipes below and try them!

Ingredients for Bibim Guksu (Serves 2)

bibim guksu ingredients

Noodles

Salad Options

  • 2 lettuce leaves (40g/ 1.5 ounces), thinly sliced
  • 1/4 red cabbage (140g / 5 ounces), thinly sliced
  • 1/2 small cucumber (60g / 2 ounces), julienned
  • 1/3 small carrot (40g / 1.4 ounces), julienned
  • (optional) 60g / 2 ounces red radish, julienned  
  • (optional) a few snow pea sprouts
  • 2 Tbsp kimchi, cut into thumbnail size

Bibim Sauce (Mix these in a bowl)

*1 Tbsp = 15 ml

** If you want to learn more about Korean ingredients, check my essential Korean cooking ingredients list!

How to Make Bibim Guksu

Boil the noodles in rolling boiling water following the package instructions. (I boiled mine for 3 mins.) Drain the noodles and run some cold water over the noodles to cool them down. Drain.

Boiling Soba Noodles

Place the noodles in a large serving bowl and add the salad ingredients and sauce. Serve.

Mixing Bibim Guksu Ingredients in a Bowl

Korean noodle salad topped with spicy gochujang sauce

To eat, mix all ingredients well with chopsticks and indulge.

Mixing bibim guksu with chopsticks

Note

You can alter the toppings as you wish, like adding some boiled eggs or radish pickles. Canned tuna or salmon (e.g. sweet chili flavored) also works great in this noodle bowl.

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Bibim guksu servced with assorted vegetables

Bibim Guksu (Korean Cold Noodle Salad)

How to make Bibim Guksu. It's loaded with crunch vegetables and topped with spicy, sweet and tangy Korean chili dressing.
4.82 from 22 votes
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Course: Main
Cuisine: Korean
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: bibim guksu, korean noodle salad, spicy korean noodle salad
Prep Time: 7 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 518kcal
Author: Sue

Ingredients

NOODLES

  • 180 g dried buckwheat noodles (or soba noodles)(6.3 ounces)

SALAD OPTIONS

  • 2 lettuce leaves (40g / 1.5 ounces), e.g. butter or oakleaf lettuce, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 red cabbage (140g / 5 ounces), thinly sliced
  • 1/2 small cucumber (60g / 2 ounces), julienned
  • 1/3 small carrot (40g / 1.4 ounces), julienned
  • 1 red radish (60g / 2 ounces), optional, julienned
  • A few snow pea sprouts , optional
  • 2 Tbsp kimchi , cut into thumbnail size

SAUCE (MIX THESE IN A BOWL)

  • 2 Tbsp gochujang
  • 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Boil the noodles in rolling boiling water following the package instructions. (I boiled mine for 3 mins.) Drain the noodles and run some cold water over the noodles to cool them down. Drain.
  • Place the noodles in a large serving bowl and add the salad ingredients and sauce. Serve.
  • To eat, mix all ingredients well with chopsticks and indulge.

Notes

  • 1 Tbsp = 15 ml
  • You can alter the toppings as you wish, like adding some boiled eggs or radish pickles. Canned tuna or salmon (e.g. sweet chili flavored) also works great in this noodle bowl.

Nutrition Info (per serving)

Calories: 518kcal | Carbohydrates: 98g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1259mg | Potassium: 754mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 3455IU | Vitamin C: 66.1mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 4.6mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Tried this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Rate this recipe with a comment below and tag me on Instagram @MyKoreanKitchen.

Written by: Sue

Last Updated:

Welcome to my Korean kitchen! I’m so happy that you're here. I am Sue, the creator behind My Korean Kitchen (since 2006). I love good food and simplifying recipes. Here you will find my best and family approved recipes. Thanks for stopping by!

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Margie
June 21, 2023 7:07 am

Just what a busy person needs to stay healthy and happy. I make this frequently. I do not live near an Asian market, but other than the noodles have been able to find these ingredients in my local market.

Calla
September 14, 2022 2:31 am

I’ve made this several times over the last week because it is so simple and delicious.

M L
May 23, 2022 3:32 pm

It’s a super hot day here today, had some leftover banchan, thought I’d make this instead of a Bibimbap for a change. Delicious! The sauce is pure magic ! Thank you for this recipe!

Sally
March 11, 2022 3:44 am

Amazingly good especially a day later

PCW
January 12, 2022 8:05 am

Can this be made the day before since it’s eaten cold?

Michelle Korman
October 22, 2021 2:56 am

Thanks for this recipe. I am allergic to gluten, so I am getting tired of rice noodles. I found the Eden buckwheat noodles to be closest to the buckwheat/wheat combo noodles I’ve had before, they are less like the buckwheat noodles that are kind of link glass noodles (where they stick together easily and are more chewy). I could eat this everyday.

Lauren
August 13, 2021 7:37 am

Bibimguksu was my absolute favorite dish in Korea and this is a very close match to the dish at local KSB. I’m really glad I found this! I pretty much use whatever veg I have on hand, and I found that avocado subs for the egg really well.

Heidi Joy
July 4, 2021 8:15 pm

I made my own version of this before finding your recipe. I’ve been making kimchi for about 4 months and only more recently discovered the magic of gochujang (although I’m at the point of ordering a more healthy version and authentic one from Korea). I had to laugh when I saw you only used 2 Tbl of kimchi. My hubby LOVES this stuff and can eat a whole jar for breakfast if he’s hungry. I used 2 cups in my noodle salad! I’ve been eating buckwheat noodles for at least 30 years but they never tasted so fantastic as the Korean style. I make lots of it with stir fried onions, sweet peppers and broccoli. It always tastes better when its cold and the flavors have married. Now I know what it’s called…. Bibim Guksu!

Casandra M
April 5, 2021 8:10 am

Absolutely delicious. Living on an island, getting a lot of the ingredients was a challenge, but finally, I was able to make this. I can’t wait to make more.

Reamon Linnabary
March 7, 2021 2:39 am

So many delicious recipes that I am anxious to try. I just started making my own kimchi and needed some culinary inspiration. Well, I came to the right place. Thank you!!!

Nicole
January 8, 2021 5:00 am

Just made this and it was delicious! I did double the dressing recipe (didn’t use all of it but I feel like I used more than there would have been in the regular recipe. Very simple and tasty recipe.

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