Refreshing Cucumber Bibim Guksu for Summer Appetites
[Manman-she] Summer Delight! Chef Hongsil’s Sweet & Spicy Cucumber Noodles Recipe
Hello! I’m Chef Hongsil, and it’s an honor to present my first recipe on ‘Manman-she’ with all your wonderful support. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce a dish that will make you forget the heat – ‘Cucumber Bibim Guksu’ (Spicy Mixed Noodles with Cucumber)! This recipe was born from an idea while preparing various toppings for noodles with my husband. The star of this dish is its special sauce! By adding aronia juice to the classic seasoning ingredients, we achieve a refreshing, non-heavy flavor that’s simply delicious. Perfect for those times when your appetite wanes in the summer heat, this bibim guksu offers a delightful kick of sweet and spicy flavors.
Main Ingredients- 4 Cucumbers (Choose fresh and crisp ones.)
- 1/2 Tbsp Salt (For salting the cucumbers.)
- 200g Noodles (Somen or medium noodles work well.)
- 1 Boiled Egg (For garnish.)
Spicy & Sweet Sauce- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste; adjust to your preference.)
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar (Adds a refreshing tang.)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (Adjust sweetness as desired.)
- 2 Tbsp Plum Extract (or 2 Tbsp Aronia Juice) (Adds flavor and tanginess.)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (For a nutty aroma.)
- A pinch of Sesame Seeds (For garnish.)
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste; adjust to your preference.)
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar (Adds a refreshing tang.)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (Adjust sweetness as desired.)
- 2 Tbsp Plum Extract (or 2 Tbsp Aronia Juice) (Adds flavor and tanginess.)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (For a nutty aroma.)
- A pinch of Sesame Seeds (For garnish.)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the fresh cucumbers thoroughly. Peel them thinly using a peeler. Then, thinly slice them into long julienne strips with a mandoline slicer or a knife. Sprinkle the julienned cucumbers with 1/2 tablespoon of salt and gently mix. Let them sit for about 10 minutes to draw out moisture. This salting process makes the cucumbers extra crisp.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients: 2 tablespoons of gochujang, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 2 tablespoons of plum extract (or aronia juice), and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Whisk everything together until well combined and smooth, creating a delicious sauce. Using aronia juice will give it a unique, refreshing twist.
Step 3
Bring a generous pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute longer than the package instructions suggest for a chewy texture. Drain the cooked noodles in a colander, then immediately rinse them under cold running water to cool them down completely. Drain them well by shaking off excess water. Rinsing in cold water prevents the noodles from becoming mushy and keeps them perfectly springy.
Step 4
Rinse the salted cucumbers quickly under cold water to remove the salt. Be careful not to rinse for too long, as this can make them less flavorful. Gently squeeze out as much water as possible from the cucumbers by hand. Properly draining the cucumbers is key to preventing the final dish from becoming watery.
Step 5
Now, arrange the cooked noodles attractively in a serving bowl. Top with the well-drained julienned cucumbers. Spoon the prepared delicious sauce over the noodles and cucumbers. You can adjust the amount of sauce to your liking.
Step 6
Finally, add a halved boiled egg as a garnish to complete this visually appealing and delicious Cucumber Bibim Guksu! Sprinkle a pinch of sesame seeds on top for an extra touch of flavor and presentation. Enjoy your meal!
