Fragrant Kimchi Noodle Salad (Gat Kimchi Bibim Guksu)
Chewy & Tangy Delight: Homemade Gat Kimchi Bibim Guksu
Here’s a quick and easy noodle dish you can whip up in minutes when you don’t have many side dishes available! I used simple ingredients from my pantry to create a satisfying meal. This recipe features well-fermented mustard greens kimchi (gat kimchi), tossed with chewy noodles and a savory-sweet sauce. We’ll use a store-bought spicy chili paste (gochujang) base for a speedy and delicious bibim guksu. Let’s make it simple!
Main Ingredients
- Noodles (Somen) for 2-3 servings
- 100g well-fermented mustard greens kimchi (gat kimchi), roughly chopped
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- 150g cabbage, julienned
- 1 apple, julienned
- 100g carrot, julienned
Seasoning & Garnish
- Store-bought spicy chili paste (gochujang-based sauce), to taste
- Sesame seeds, a pinch (for nutty flavor)
- Sesame oil, a drizzle (for aroma)
- Store-bought spicy chili paste (gochujang-based sauce), to taste
- Sesame seeds, a pinch (for nutty flavor)
- Sesame oil, a drizzle (for aroma)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Bring a generous amount of water to a rolling boil in a pot. Once boiling, add the noodles (somen) for 2-3 servings. When the noodles rise to the surface, add about 1 cup of cold water to lower the temperature. Bring it back to a boil, add cold water again, and repeat this process one more time – a total of three additions of cold water. This technique helps make the noodles extra chewy. Immediately rinse the cooked noodles under cold water to remove excess starch and drain them thoroughly in a colander.
Step 2
Julienne the cucumber, apple, carrot, and cabbage. For the apple, core it before julienning. It’s best to cut all the vegetables into similar thicknesses so they absorb the sauce evenly for optimal flavor.
Step 3
In a large mixing bowl or basin, place the drained noodles. Add the julienned cucumber, cabbage, apple, carrot, and the chopped gat kimchi. If you have aged kimchi (mukimchi), that works wonderfully too!
Step 4
Now it’s time to season. Add the store-bought spicy chili paste (gochujang base) according to your preference. If you enjoy a spicier kick, feel free to add a little more.
Step 5
Put on disposable gloves and gently toss all the ingredients together with your hands until well combined. It’s important to gently loosen and mix to prevent clumping. Finally, sprinkle sesame seeds generously for added nutty flavor. If you like, drizzle a little sesame oil for an extra layer of aroma and taste.
Step 6
Your flavorful and chewy Gat Kimchi Bibim Guksu is ready! The deep, pungent flavor of the mustard greens kimchi combined with the tangy-sweet sauce is incredibly appetizing. This dish is especially delicious served alongside meat dishes. Enjoy this wonderfully chewy and delightful meal!
