Refreshing Tomato Kimchi Cold Noodles
Summertime Delight! Make Flavorful and Healthy Tomato Kimchi Cold Noodles
A refreshing cold noodle dish where juicy tomatoes meet crunchy kimchi for a perfect harmony. Enriched with the abundance of vitamins and tanginess from tomatoes, this dish leaves a clean aftertaste and is the ultimate summer treat to beat the heat.
Tangy Tomato Broth- 5 ripe tomatoes (approx. 530g)
- 200ml ripe kimchi juice
- 2/3 Tbsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp vinegar
- 0.5 Tbsp fine chili powder
Fresh Toppings- 1 small tomato or cherry tomato
- 1/2 cucumber
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 bowl cooked ripe kimchi
- 0.5 Tbsp sugar
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of sesame seeds
Noodles and Chill- 2 handfuls somen noodles (approx. 160-200g)
- 5-6 ice cubes
- 1 small tomato or cherry tomato
- 1/2 cucumber
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 bowl cooked ripe kimchi
- 0.5 Tbsp sugar
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of sesame seeds
Noodles and Chill- 2 handfuls somen noodles (approx. 160-200g)
- 5-6 ice cubes
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly wash the main ingredient, tomatoes, under running water. The skins are rich in nutrients, so washing them well is important.
Step 2
To make them easy to blend, remove the stems and cut the tomatoes into large pieces, about 2-3cm in size.
Step 3
Place the prepared tomatoes in a blender and blend until smooth and pureed. Aim for a creamy consistency without any lumps.
Step 4
Transfer the smooth tomato puree to a deep bowl or basin. This will be the base of your delicious broth.
Step 5
Pour in about 200ml of ripe kimchi juice. The sourness from the kimchi juice will add depth to the broth’s flavor.
Step 6
Add 2/3 tablespoon of sugar to balance the tanginess with a hint of sweetness. Adjust based on the natural sweetness of the tomatoes.
Step 7
Add 3 tablespoons of vinegar to enhance the refreshing sourness. This plays a crucial role in balancing the overall flavor profile.
Step 8
Stir in 0.5 tablespoon of fine chili powder for a clean hint of spice. This adds color and a subtle kick.
Step 9
Combine the blended tomatoes with all the other seasoning ingredients in the bowl. Use a whisk or spoon to mix thoroughly until well combined and smooth. Ensuring the flavors meld together is key.
Step 10
Place the prepared tomato broth in the freezer for about 2-3 hours, or until it’s slushy and partially frozen. This ‘slushy ice’ texture is essential for the signature refreshing chill of the dish.
Step 11
For the toppings, hard-boil the eggs for about 10 minutes until fully cooked. Once boiled, rinse them in cold water, cool them down, and then peel.
Step 12
Wash the cucumber and peel it thinly using a vegetable peeler. Discard the watery core by carefully cutting it out, as it can make the topping mushy.
Step 13
Roll the peeled cucumber slices tightly and then julienne them into thin strips, similar to noodle strands. This creates an appealing visual and a crisp texture.
Step 14
Your noodle-like cucumber topping is ready! It will look beautiful and add a delightful crunch.
Step 15
Finely chop the ripe kimchi. You want small, bite-sized pieces that are easy to mix and eat with the noodles.
Step 16
In a small bowl, combine the chopped kimchi with 0.5 tablespoon of sugar, 0.5 tablespoon of sesame oil, and a pinch of sesame seeds. Gently mix or ‘massage’ the ingredients together to soften the kimchi slightly.
Step 17
For the tomato garnish, thinly slice a small tomato (about half of a large one). These will add a fresh burst of flavor and color. Pretty garnishes make the dish more inviting!
Step 18
Now, let’s cook the noodles. In a pot of boiling water, add the somen noodles and cook for about 7-8 minutes. (If using medium noodles, you might need to adjust the cooking time slightly. Thin somen noodles absorb the broth’s flavor best, making them ideal for this dish.)
Step 19
Immediately after cooking, rinse the noodles thoroughly under cold or ice water to shock them and remove excess starch. This makes the noodles firm and chewy. Drain them well.
Step 20
Retrieve the partially frozen tomato broth from the freezer. Ensure it’s very cold; this is crucial for the dish’s refreshing quality.
Step 21
Place the drained noodles into your serving bowl. Generously pour the chilled, slushy tomato broth over the noodles until they are well covered.
Step 22
Artfully arrange the toppings: the sliced tomato, halved hard-boiled egg, julienned cucumber, and the seasoned kimchi. Add a few ice cubes floating on top for extra chill. Your beautiful Tomato Kimchi Cold Noodles are now ready to be enjoyed!
Step 23
The tomato-based broth is incredibly refreshing, fresh, and has a wonderfully clean finish. Its sweet and sour flavor is a great appetite stimulant, and it cools you down with just one bite. This is the ultimate summer noodle dish; be sure to try making it!
