Heartwarming Janchi-guksu (Korean Banquet Noodles)
The Ultimate Homemade Janchi-guksu Recipe: Silky Smooth Noodles in a Savory Broth
There are days when a comforting bowl of Janchi-guksu just hits the spot! While it’s affordable to buy, making it at home offers a deeply satisfying flavor. Let’s create this delicious noodle dish with its refreshing broth. Perfect for beginners and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Main Ingredients- 3 servings of somyeon (thin wheat noodles, approx. 300g)
- 1 egg
- A small amount of carrot
- 1/3 zucchini
- Seaweed flakes (gim)
- 1/2 red chili pepper
- 1/2 green chili pepper
- Sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the flavorful seasoning sauce to go with the noodles. In a small bowl, combine 8 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), 2 Tbsp sweet maesilcheong (green plum syrup), and 1 Tbsp savory sesame oil. Add 2 Tbsp of finely minced green onion and 1 Tbsp of minced garlic. Finely chop 1/2 red chili pepper and 1/2 green chili pepper for color and flavor, then sprinkle in some sesame seeds. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly with a spoon until well combined. Your delicious seasoning sauce is ready!
Step 2
Now, let’s make the deep and refreshing broth that will be the heart of our Janchi-guksu. In a pot, add about 1.5 liters (7-8 cups) of water. Add 1 handful of dried anchovies for broth, 2 sheets of dried kelp, and 1 handful of dried shrimp. Toss in a half-cut onion, half a green onion stalk, 8 cloves of garlic, 1 piece of ginger, and 1 piece of radish. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. For a cleaner taste, you can remove the anchovies and kelp once the broth starts boiling.
Step 3
Next, we’ll prepare the colorful toppings for our noodles. Wash the zucchini (1/3 of it), remove the seeds, and julienne it thinly. Julienne the carrot thinly as well. Place the prepared zucchini and carrot in a dry pan (no oil) over low heat and stir-fry just until they soften slightly. This process brings out their natural sweetness and improves their texture.
Step 4
Now, let’s make a delicate egg garnish. Crack 1 egg into a bowl and whisk it thoroughly until the yolk and white are well combined. Heat a lightly oiled pan over low heat. Pour in a thin layer of the beaten egg and cook gently until set on both sides. Once cooked, let the egg crepe cool slightly, then julienne it thinly. Thinly sliced egg garnish will add a beautiful touch to your finished dish.
Step 5
Once the broth has simmered, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove all the solids, leaving a clear, flavorful liquid. Return the clear broth to the pot. Add 1 Tbsp of soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang) for an added layer of umami. Finally, season with a pinch of salt to your taste. It’s important to get the seasoning just right – not too salty, so it complements the noodles and sauce perfectly.
Step 6
It’s time to cook the somyeon noodles! In a large pot filled with plenty of water, bring it to a rolling boil. Add 3 servings (about 300g) of somyeon noodles and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until al dente. Gently loosen the noodles with chopsticks as they cook to prevent sticking. Once cooked, immediately drain the noodles and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water. This rinsing removes excess starch and gives the noodles a delightfully chewy texture, which is key to great Janchi-guksu.
Step 7
Drain the rinsed somyeon well and arrange them attractively in a serving bowl. Ladle the warm, clear broth over the noodles, just enough to partially cover them. You don’t want to drown the noodles; a moderate amount of broth makes it easier to mix in the sauce later.
Step 8
Now, artfully arrange the prepared toppings over the noodles. Place the thinly sliced egg garnish, the stir-fried zucchini, and the carrots appealingly on top. Finish by generously sprinkling seaweed flakes (gim) for a final touch of savory flavor and visual appeal. Your beautiful Janchi-guksu is almost ready!
Step 9
And there you have it – a hearty and delicious bowl of Janchi-guksu! To enjoy, add the prepared seasoning sauce to your liking and mix everything together. The combination of warm broth, chewy noodles, and various toppings creates a truly comforting and flavorful meal, perfect for sharing with loved ones. Enjoy your homemade masterpiece!
