Peachy & Sweet Bibim Guksu (Korean Spicy Noodles)
Your Go-To Recipe for Summer Appetizer: Bibim Guksu Infused with Peaches
As summer winds down, it’s common to lose your appetite in the lingering heat. Here’s a personal recipe that will reignite your taste buds: Bibim Guksu, a quintessential summer dish! This version is made extra refreshing and delicious with the addition of summer peaches. I’m excited to share this delightful recipe with you.
Main Ingredients
- Somen noodles, 2 servings (approx. 200g)
- 1 firm, ripe peach
- 1/3 cucumber
- A small piece of onion (about 1/4 of a small onion)
- 1 hard-boiled egg (for garnish)
Bibim Guksu Sauce Ingredients
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste), 3 Tbsp
- Soy sauce, 2 Tbsp
- Vinegar, 2 Tbsp
- Sesame oil, 3 Tbsp
- Korean chili powder (fine), 1.5 Tbsp
- Plum extract (or syrup), 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic, 0.5 Tbsp (about 1/2 tsp)
- 2/3 of the firm peach, pureed
- Sesame seeds, a pinch
- Sugar, 0.5~0.8 Tbsp (adjust to taste)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste), 3 Tbsp
- Soy sauce, 2 Tbsp
- Vinegar, 2 Tbsp
- Sesame oil, 3 Tbsp
- Korean chili powder (fine), 1.5 Tbsp
- Plum extract (or syrup), 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic, 0.5 Tbsp (about 1/2 tsp)
- 2/3 of the firm peach, pureed
- Sesame seeds, a pinch
- Sugar, 0.5~0.8 Tbsp (adjust to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
For this recipe, I used a firm, sweet variety of white peach, often called ‘kkak-dak-i baek-do’. Its firmness helps maintain a pleasant texture in the dish.
Step 2
Set aside about 1/3 of the peach. Finely julienne this portion; it will be used as a garnish later for added freshness and visual appeal.
Step 3
Wash the cucumber and thinly julienne it, removing the seedy core if present. Peel and thinly julienne the onion as well. These crisp vegetables add a delightful crunch to the noodles.
Step 4
Peel the remaining 2/3 of the peach, remove the pit, and then blend it into a smooth puree using a blender or grater. This peach puree will form the smooth and sweet base of your sauce.
Step 5
In a large bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients: Gochujang (3 Tbsp), soy sauce (2 Tbsp), vinegar (2 Tbsp), sesame oil (3 Tbsp), chili powder (1.5 Tbsp), plum extract (1 Tbsp), minced garlic (0.5 Tbsp), and sugar (0.5-0.8 Tbsp). Adjust the sugar amount based on the sweetness of your peaches.
Step 6
Add the pureed peach (from step 3) to the sauce mixture. This will lend a wonderfully smooth and fruity dimension to the sauce.
Step 7
Whisk all the sauce ingredients and the peach puree together until well combined and smooth. Ensure there are no lumps, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 8
Cook the somen noodles in boiling water according to package directions, or until tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once cooked, rinse the noodles thoroughly under cold running water to remove excess starch and drain them completely in a colander.
Step 9
Place the drained noodles in a serving bowl. Generously spoon the prepared peach bibim sauce over the noodles. Top with the julienned cucumber and onion, the reserved julienned peach garnish, and half of a hard-boiled egg. A sprinkle of sesame seeds adds a final touch of nutty flavor. Enjoy your refreshing and sweet Peach Bibim Guksu, a perfect summer delight!
