Leftover Side Dish Transformation: Super Easy Bibim Guksu Recipe
Delicious Bibim Guksu Made with Leftover Side Dishes from the Fridge
Don’t let those leftover side dishes in the fridge go to waste! With just a simple sauce, you can transform them into a delicious Bibim Guksu (Korean mixed noodles). This recipe is simple yet guarantees great taste. It’s the perfect choice for a solo meal or when you don’t have much appetite!
Bibim Guksu Ingredients
- Somen noodles, 1 serving (approx. 200g)
- Pre-made Bibim sauce, 2 Tbsp
- Leftover side dishes from the fridge (e.g., stir-fried zucchini, stir-fried oyster mushrooms), 1 Tbsp each
- Shredded cucumber, a little
- Boiled egg, 1
- Sesame oil, a little
- Sesame seeds, a little
Versatile Bibim Sauce (Make a Large Batch)
- Apple or Pear, 1/2 (for sweetness and aroma)
- Onion, 1/2 (enhances sweetness and flavor)
- Minced garlic, 1 Tbsp (pungent flavor)
- Minced ginger, 1 tsp (removes gamey smell and adds fragrance)
- Soy sauce, 2/3 cup (base seasoning)
- Soup soy sauce, 2 Tbsp (deep umami)
- Sugar, 4 Tbsp (sweetness adjustment)
- Oligosaccharide or corn syrup, 1 Tbsp (for gloss and smoothness)
- Glucose, 1 Tbsp (for smooth sweetness)
- Citric acid or vinegar, 1/2 Tbsp (sourness)
- Salt (or MSG), 1 tsp (to balance flavor)
- Sesame seeds, a little (for nuttiness)
- Fine Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), 1 cup (for color and spiciness, adjust to taste)
- Apple or Pear, 1/2 (for sweetness and aroma)
- Onion, 1/2 (enhances sweetness and flavor)
- Minced garlic, 1 Tbsp (pungent flavor)
- Minced ginger, 1 tsp (removes gamey smell and adds fragrance)
- Soy sauce, 2/3 cup (base seasoning)
- Soup soy sauce, 2 Tbsp (deep umami)
- Sugar, 4 Tbsp (sweetness adjustment)
- Oligosaccharide or corn syrup, 1 Tbsp (for gloss and smoothness)
- Glucose, 1 Tbsp (for smooth sweetness)
- Citric acid or vinegar, 1/2 Tbsp (sourness)
- Salt (or MSG), 1 tsp (to balance flavor)
- Sesame seeds, a little (for nuttiness)
- Fine Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), 1 cup (for color and spiciness, adjust to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s make the Bibim sauce. In a blender, add peeled apple (or pear), onion, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Blend until smooth. To the pureed mixture, add soy sauce, soup soy sauce, sugar, oligosaccharide (or corn syrup), glucose, citric acid (or vinegar), and salt. Mix well until the sugar dissolves. Finally, add sesame seeds and fine gochugaru, and whisk until there are no lumps. Your delicious Bibim sauce is ready! This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for about 2-3 weeks.
Step 2
Now it’s time to bring out those delicious side dishes hiding in your fridge! Today, we’ve prepared stir-fried zucchini and stir-fried oyster mushrooms. You can use any side dishes you have, such as stir-fried kimchi, stir-fried anchovies, or various seasoned vegetables. Preparing a variety of side dishes in small portions will make your Bibim Guksu even more delightful.
Step 3
Boil the somen noodles in plenty of boiling water until they are chewy. It’s important to gently loosen the noodles with chopsticks while boiling to prevent them from sticking together. Once cooked, rinse the noodles thoroughly under cold running water to remove excess starch. Drain them well in a colander. Place the drained noodles in a bowl and generously top with about 2 tablespoons of the prepared Bibim sauce. Adjust the amount of sauce according to your personal preference.
Step 4
Arrange the prepared stir-fried zucchini and oyster mushrooms attractively over the noodles. Add fresh shredded cucumber and a halved boiled egg. Finally, drizzle a little fragrant sesame oil and sprinkle some nutty sesame seeds. Voila! Your delicious Bibim Guksu, magically transformed from your fridge’s ingredients, is complete! Mix everything together with chopsticks and enjoy your wonderful meal!
