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!
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.
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.
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!
- Kimchi Bibim Guksu (Spicy Cold Kimchi Noodles)
- Bibim Naengmyeon (Spicy Cold Noodles with Beef)
- Jjolmyeon (Spicy Chewy Noodles)
- Jaengban Guksu (Spicy Noodle Salad Platter)
Ingredients for Bibim Guksu (Serves 2)
Noodles
- 180g/6.3 ounces dried buckwheat noodles (or soba 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)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
*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.
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.
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 (Korean Cold Noodle Salad)
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)
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.
