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Kalguksu (Korean Knife Cut Noodle Soup)

Kalguksu (Korean knife-cut noodle soup) is a light, refreshing and comforting noodle soup. It will warm your heart, mind and soul! 

Kalguksu (Korean knife cut noodle soup, 칼국수) is one of my favourite noodle soups. Unlike Jjampong / Jjamppong (짬뽕, Korean spicy seafood noodle soup), Kalguksu is not spicy.

One of the highlights of this noodle soup is the handmade knife cut noodles. These noodles are thin flat shapes and have a bouncy texture.

Kalguksu (Korean Knife Cut Noodle Soup) | MyKoreanKitchen.com

Though, I normally buy pre-made Kalguksu noodles from a Korean grocery store, because if I were to make them at home, it will add about 1 hour of additional cooking time.

Nonetheless, I’m fully intending to share the “made from scratch” version of the noodles, so stay tuned!

Varieties of Kalguksu

There are a few variations of Kalguksu, but my number one choice always has been Bajirak Kalguksu (바지락 칼국수, Knife cut noodle soup with littleneck clams). I don’t know what it is, but I love the light and refreshing taste that comes out of this little seafood.

Since I’m a seafood lover, I often throw in some prawns as well. But, if you’re not going to add the prawns, just add more littleneck clams.

I’ve seen some Koreans adding squid or baby octupus in their soup, which looks so tempting. If my seafood choice is more than just littleneck clams, I would call it, Haemul Kalguksu (해물칼국수, Knife cut noodle soup with seafood).

There’s also Dak Kalguksu (닭 칼국수, Knife cut noodle soup with chicken), this soup has a lot deeper and meatier flavour. Typically these types of meaty soup are additionally seasoned after you serve it.

Kalguksu (Korean Knife Cut Noodle Soup) Recipe | MyKoreanKitchen.com

What to Serve with Kalguksu

Since the Kalguksu noodle and soup is mild, the best combination with it is obviously, Kimchi! It particularly goes very well with freshly made Kimchi salad and also with cubed radish Kimchi (Kkakdugi).

Kalguksu is warm comfy food. I particularly love having it on a cold rainy day and in winter. It will warm your body up for sure! Hope you enjoy my recipe!

How to Make Kalguksu (Korean knife cut noodle soup) | MyKoreanKitchen.com

Ingredients for Kalguksu (for Serving 2)

Kalguksu ingredients

  • About 4 and 1/2 cups dried anchovy and kelp stock or water (*see note)
  • 1 tsp soy sauce (I used regular kikkoman soy sauce)
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt (or more to taste)
  • 300g/ 10 ounces Kalguksu noodles or fresh ramen or udon noodles
  • Some water to boil the noodles
  • 100g / 3.5 ounces zucchini, julienned
  • 50g / 1.7 ounces carrot, julienned
  • 40g / 1.4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 130g / 4.5 ounces fresh/frozen littleneck clam (weight includes the shells), cleaned /defrosted if frozen
  • 100g / 3.5 ounces prawn, head and tail removed, deveined
  • 10g / 0.3 ounces green onion, chopped

*1 Tbsp = 15 ml, 1 Cup = 250 ml

How to Make Kalguksu

1.Boil the anchovy and kelp stock in a pot on medium heat. Add the soy sauce, minced garlic and salt to season the stock. Once the stock is rolling boiling, add the zucchini, carrots and shiitake mushrooms and cook until lightly softened (about 2 mins). Then add the clams and prawns and boil until they’re cooked (about 2 mins). Make sure you don’t over cook them as they can get gummy.

Making Kalguksu. Boiling vegetables and seafood.

2. (Ideally at the same time as step 1) In a separate pot, boil the noodles in rolling boiling water until cooked (2 to 3 mins). Drain and rinse with cold running water. Set aside.

Boiling kalguksu noodles

3. Add the noodles into pot 1 (from step 1) and boil for one minute to make the noodles warm. Stir around. Add the green onion and turn the heat off. Serve while hot.

Kalguksu recipe (Korean knife cut noodle soup) | MyKoreanKitchen.com

Note

  • If you’re using water instead of the anchovy and kelp stock, you will have to add more soy sauce  and/or salt to season the soup as it will lack flavour. Though, if you add too much soy sauce the colour of the soup will be turn brownish. The typical colour of this type of Kalguksu soup is close to clear.


Kalguksu (Korean Knife Cut Noodle Soup) | MyKoreanKitchen.com

Kalguksu (Korean Knife Cut Noodle Soup)

Kalguksu (Korean knife cut noodle soup) recipe. 
4.80 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate Save
Course: Main
Cuisine: Korean
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 610kcal
Author: Sue | My Korean Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 4 1/2 cups Dried kelp and dried anchovy stock or water (*see note above)
  • 1 tsp soy sauce , (I used regular kikkoman soy sauce)
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt (or more to taste)
  • 300 g Kalguksu noodles or fresh ramen or udon noodles (10 ounces)
  • Some water to boil the noodles
  • 100 g zucchini (3.5 ounces), julienned
  • 50 g carrot (1.7 ounces), julienned
  • 40 g shiitake mushrooms (1.4 ounces), thinly sliced
  • 130 g fresh / frozen littleneck clam (4.5 ounces), (weight includes the shells), cleaned / defrosted if frozen
  • 100 g prawn (3.5 ounces), head and tail removed, deveined
  • 10 g green onion (0.3 ounces), chopped

Instructions

  • Boil the anchovy and kelp stock in a pot on medium heat. Add the soy sauce, minced garlic and salt to season the stock. Once the stock is rolling boiling, add the zucchini, carrots and shiitake mushrooms and cook until lightly softened (about 2 mins). Then add the clams and prawns and boil until they’re cooked (about 2 mins). Make sure you don’t over cook them as they can get gummy.
  • (Ideally at the same time as step 1) In a separate pot, boil the noodles in rolling boiling water until cooked (2 to 3 mins). Drain and rinse with cold running water. Set aside.
  •  Add the noodles into pot 1 (from step 1) and boil for one minute to make the noodles warm. Stir around. Add the green onion and turn the heat off. Serve while hot.

Nutrition Info (per serving)

Calories: 610kcal | Carbohydrates: 107g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 3036mg | Potassium: 325mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 4355IU | Vitamin C: 13.4mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 1.6mg

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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19 Comments
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Linda
September 16, 2023 12:46 am

Love your recipes. This one is a recent favorite. Very heart warming on a cold day.

Moody
June 27, 2021 2:46 am

Hi, Sue! This soup is absolutely delicious! I used your kelp and anchovy stock recipe and added the baby octopus and squid rings. It was fantastic! I used the store bought noodles, but I will definitely make them from scratch next time. I can only imagine how good that will be. I had family dinner night last night with my mom, niece and nephew and we made a few of your recipes. We also made the Jeyuk Bokkeum and the Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowl with ALL of the toppings and it was all fabulous! Thank you so much for sharing your recipes!

Karen
June 25, 2021 3:45 am

Can you post noodle recipe please

Karen in Maryland
January 8, 2021 12:36 am

Lovely! I made it mild, sans kimchi, after a week of eating terribly spicy Korean food. It’s warmth and subtle flavor were perfect for a chilly, gray, January day. Thank you, Sue, for admitting what many of us are thinking: Can I just use fresh, store-bought noodles to save time? I did, and it worked. I’ll definitely be keeping this flexible recipe in my regular rotation.

Annie
June 12, 2020 5:29 am

Can you make the noodle dough and refrigerate it to save time making the Kalguksu the day of?

Min
November 21, 2019 4:38 am

40g of dried shiitake seems like a lot of shiitake for this recipe once it gets hydrated. is that supposed to be 40g hydrated?

Ash
November 5, 2019 6:14 am

I’d love to try making this recipe, but since my mom is allergic to shellfish I’d like to ask if you have any ideas for substitutes? Maybe octopus – as you mention – could work?

Albert Kim
February 28, 2017 10:34 am

Hi sue
When I was young, I often went to an old knife-cut noodle place after school which was right next to my school. They had a really good food and it was cheap too. When I ordered noodle, It served really quickly, so I could eat fast and go back to study. For me this food is my childhood favorite food. I wish I go back and eat that noodle again. Of course I can make it by myself with this recipe that you posted but still I miss that noodle store a lot. Thank you for sharing this recipe.

Marget
February 18, 2017 11:59 pm

My daughter and I love Korean Food, so I am always lookimg for our next food adventure. This recipe looks and sounds awesome, however I am not a seafood eater, can’t get past the smell. Can I substitute a different meat for the clams and shrimp?

Ruth
December 29, 2016 8:25 am

Hey a really great website! Was just wondering what portable cooker you are using here? How good is it? And what your suggestions are for the best portable stove. Thank you so much. I love your recipes!

December 7, 2016 9:37 am

this looks amazing!

December 6, 2016 9:29 pm

Great simple dish ! Great photos too ! Thank you and have a pleasant week ¨!

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