Heartwarming and Clean Janchi Guksu (Feast Noodles)
Making a Delicious and Savory Janchi Guksu with Anchovy Broth
Today, I made my husband’s favorite dish: anchovy noodles! We usually add more variety of vegetables to this anchovy noodle soup. It’s also delicious with stir-fried onions, carrots, and zucchini. Adding finely chopped aged kimchi is also a wonderful touch 🙂
Ingredients & Broth- 1L Water
- 2-3 Dried Anchovies for broth
- 1/2 Onion
- 1 piece Dried Kelp (about 5x5cm)
- Leek roots (optional) a little
- Onion peels (optional) a little
- 1 Tbsp Korean Soy Sauce for soup
- 1/2 Zucchini
- 2 Eggs
- 500-won coin sized portion of Somyeon (thin wheat noodles)
Seasoning Sauce- 2 Scallions (finely chopped)
- 1 Korean Green Chili Pepper (finely chopped)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/2 tsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Jin Ganjang (regular soy sauce)
- 2 Tbsp Guk Ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 2 Scallions (finely chopped)
- 1 Korean Green Chili Pepper (finely chopped)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/2 tsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Jin Ganjang (regular soy sauce)
- 2 Tbsp Guk Ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a pot, add 1L of water. Put in 2-3 dried anchovies for broth (or anchovy pellets). Add a piece of dried kelp, half an onion, and the roots of a scallion. Onion peels also add great flavor to the broth. If you don’t have leek roots or onion peels, you can omit them. Add 1 Tbsp of Korean soup soy sauce and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, simmer for about 10 more minutes to create a rich broth.
Step 2
Thinly slice half a zucchini into half-moons. Heat a frying pan with a little oil over medium heat and stir-fry the zucchini. Add two pinches of salt to season; this will bring out the sweetness of the zucchini. Sauté until tender and set aside as a topping.
Step 3
Whisk 2 eggs in a bowl. Pour the whisked eggs thinly into a lightly oiled frying pan over low heat to make an egg crepe (jidan). Cook slowly, and use chopsticks to help flip it over for easier handling. Once cooked, roll up the egg crepe and slice it thinly for garnish.
Step 4
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a portion of somyeon noodles equivalent to the size of a 500-won coin (this is roughly one serving; double it for two servings). Once the noodles float, add a little cold water and repeat boiling for 2-3 times. This process makes the noodles chewier and firmer. After boiling, rinse the noodles thoroughly under cold running water, rubbing them gently to remove excess starch. This prevents them from sticking together.
Step 5
Finely chop 2 scallions. If the scallions are large, you might only need one. Place the chopped scallions into a bowl for the seasoning sauce.
Step 6
Finely chop 1 Korean green chili pepper. You can adjust the amount of chili pepper depending on your preference for spiciness. Add the chopped chili pepper to the seasoning sauce bowl.
Step 7
Add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic to the seasoning sauce bowl for a fresh, pungent flavor.
Step 8
Add 1 Tbsp of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to the sauce for a mild heat and vibrant color.
Step 9
Add 1/2 tsp of sugar to balance the flavors and 2 Tbsp of regular soy sauce (jin ganjang) for a savory base.
Step 10
Add 2 Tbsp of Korean soup soy sauce (guk ganjang) to deepen the savory notes and add complexity to the seasoning sauce.
Step 11
Drizzle in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for a nutty aroma and rich flavor.
Step 12
Finally, add 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds. Rubbing them between your palms before adding will release more of their nutty fragrance. Mix all the ingredients together well to create the flavorful seasoning sauce.
Step 13
Assemble your Janchi Guksu! Place the well-rinsed somyeon noodles into a serving bowl. Ladle in a generous amount of the warm, clear anchovy broth. Arrange the sautéed zucchini and sliced egg crepes on top as toppings. A sprinkle of sesame seeds adds a nice finishing touch and visual appeal. Serve with the prepared seasoning sauce on the side, allowing each person to adjust the seasoning to their taste. Enjoy your delicious homemade Janchi Guksu!
