Leftover Veggie Bibim Makguksu: A Delicious and Hearty Cold Noodle Recipe
Whip Up a Fresh and Flavorful Bibim Makguksu with Ingredients You Already Have!
Transform leftover fresh vegetables from your Vietnamese spring rolls into a vibrant and zesty bibim makguksu. This dish is a delightful combination of crisp vegetables and chewy noodles.
Makguksu Ingredients- 1/4 head red cabbage (julienned)
- 1/2 cucumber (thinly sliced into matchsticks)
- 1/4 carrot (thinly sliced into matchsticks)
- 1/4 bell pepper (any color, thinly sliced into matchsticks)
- 1 bunch perilla leaves (washed and cut into 5-6cm lengths)
- About 1 handful of regular cabbage (finely shredded)
- 1/4 onion (thinly sliced)
- 3 portions makguksu noodles
Spicy & Sweet Bibim Sauce- 1 cup pear drink (for sweetness and flavor)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 7 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes – a mix of regular and spicy is recommended, e.g., 5 Tbsp regular, 2 Tbsp spicy)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp Dasida (MSG-based seasoning powder, optional)
- 5 Tbsp vinegar (adjust for tanginess)
- 3 Tbsp sugar (adjust for sweetness)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (for nutty aroma)
- 1 cup pear drink (for sweetness and flavor)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 7 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes – a mix of regular and spicy is recommended, e.g., 5 Tbsp regular, 2 Tbsp spicy)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp Dasida (MSG-based seasoning powder, optional)
- 5 Tbsp vinegar (adjust for tanginess)
- 3 Tbsp sugar (adjust for sweetness)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (for nutty aroma)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Gather the fresh vegetables from your refrigerator that are waiting to be used. This recipe is perfect for utilizing any leftover produce, especially from dishes like Vietnamese spring rolls, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Step 2
Wash all the vegetables thoroughly and then thinly slice them into matchsticks for a pleasant texture. Feel free to adjust the quantities of carrots, cucumbers, and red cabbage, or substitute with your favorite vegetables like lettuce or crown daisies. Create your own perfect blend!
Step 3
Add some finely shredded regular cabbage for an extra layer of crispiness. As you chew, its natural sweetness will enhance the overall flavor profile of the makguksu.
Step 4
The star of bibim makguksu is, of course, the noodles! Prepare your makguksu noodles, known for their chewy texture. Buckwheat noodles or soba noodles can also be used as alternatives.
Step 5
Now, let’s make the essential spicy and sweet sauce for your bibim makguksu! In a bowl, combine 1 cup of pear drink, 2 tablespoons of gochujang, 7 tablespoons of gochugaru (you can use a mix of regular and spicy, adjusting the spicy amount to your preference), 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of Dasida (optional, for added depth), 5 tablespoons of vinegar for that essential tang, and 3 tablespoons of sugar for sweetness. Mix everything well. Taste and adjust the sweetness, sourness, and spiciness to suit your palate.
Step 6
It’s time to cook the makguksu noodles. Gently separate the noodles so they don’t clump together as they cook. Loosening them beforehand helps ensure they cook evenly and don’t stick.
Step 7
Boil the makguksu noodles in plenty of boiling water. Once the water starts to boil and the noodles are cooked, immediately turn off the heat. For best results, follow the cooking instructions on the noodle packaging. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become mushy.
Step 8
Drain the cooked noodles and rinse them quickly under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool them down. Place them in a colander to drain thoroughly. Excess water can dilute the sauce, so shake off as much as possible.
Step 9
Arrange the drained noodles attractively in a serving bowl. Then, artfully place the prepared fresh vegetables around the noodles, creating a colorful and appetizing presentation, like a beautiful flower.
Step 10
Generously spoon your homemade spicy and sweet sauce over the top of the noodles and vegetables. Adjust the amount of sauce according to your preference. More sauce ensures every bite is perfectly seasoned.
Step 11
Finally, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over everything for a nutty fragrance. Your vibrant and delicious bibim makguksu is now ready! Mix everything together well with your chopsticks and enjoy. This refreshing and zesty dish is sure to awaken your appetite!
