Chungcheong-style Zucchini Noodles with Spicy Stir-fried Zucchini
A Delicious Homemade Zucchini Noodle Dish from Chungcheong Province
This Chungcheong-style zucchini noodle dish features savory somyeon noodles mixed with flavorful, stir-fried zucchini. It’s a delightful and satisfying meal, perfect for boosting your appetite, especially on warmer days. Experience the wonderful texture contrast between chewy noodles and crisp zucchini!
Main Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini
- 2 servings of somyeon noodles (approx. 200g)
- 2 Tbsp coarse salt (for salting zucchini)
- 1 Tbsp ground sesame seeds (for garnish)
Noodle Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- A little sesame oil (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp sugar
Zucchini Stir-fry Sauce
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust for spice preference)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- A little sesame oil
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (adds sweetness and depth)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- A little sesame oil (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp sugar
Zucchini Stir-fry Sauce
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust for spice preference)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- A little sesame oil
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (adds sweetness and depth)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the zucchini thoroughly and pat it dry. Then, slice it into rounds and julienne it into thick strips. Slicing them thickly will help prevent them from breaking apart during stir-frying.
Step 2
Place the julienned zucchini in a bowl and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of coarse salt. Gently toss to combine. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture, which will enhance its crisp texture.
Step 3
Rinse the salted zucchini under running water to remove excess salt, then pat it completely dry with paper towels. Any remaining moisture can make the zucchini soggy when cooked.
Step 4
In a separate bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients for the zucchini: gochugaru, soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, sesame oil, black pepper, and plum extract. Mix well to create the stir-fry sauce. Don’t skip the plum extract – it adds wonderful flavor!
Step 5
Now, it’s time to cook the somyeon noodles. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add 1 serving (about 100g) of somyeon noodles. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 6
Once cooked, drain the noodles and immediately rinse them under cold running water. Rub them gently as you rinse to remove the starch, ensuring they have a perfectly chewy texture.
Step 7
Drain the noodles well, then add the noodle seasoning ingredients (1 Tbsp soy sauce, a little sesame oil, and 1/2 tsp sugar). Gently toss to combine. This pre-seasoning infuses the noodles with a subtle savory flavor.
Step 8
Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium heat. Add the dried zucchini strips and stir-fry for about 2 minutes until they just begin to soften and release their sweet aroma.
Step 9
Once the zucchini is lightly stir-fried, add the prepared sauce. Gently toss and mix until the zucchini is evenly coated with the sauce.
Step 10
Be careful, as the sauce can burn easily once added. Reduce the heat to low and stir-fry for only about 1 minute to ensure the flavors meld without burning. Quick cooking is key here!
Step 11
Finally, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of ground sesame seeds over the stir-fried zucchini and drizzle with a little more sesame oil for added fragrance. Serve this delicious Chungcheong-style zucchini noodle dish by piling the stir-fried zucchini on top of the seasoned somyeon noodles. Enjoy!
