Spicy & Flavorful Kimchi Kalguksu (Noodle Soup) – Super Simple Recipe
Effortlessly Easy Kimchi Kalguksu
A comforting bowl of Kimchi Kalguksu, a hearty Korean noodle soup made with kimchi! This recipe is incredibly simple and packed with the delicious, tangy flavor of fermented cabbage.
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 head well-fermented kimchi (approx. 300-400g), chopped
- 2 servings fresh kalguksu noodles (approx. 400g)
- A small amount of napa cabbage or regular cabbage (approx. 100g, optional, adds a refreshing crispness to the broth)
- 1L Anchovy Broth (or 1L water + 1 sheet kombu, 5x5cm + 5-6 dried anchovies for broth)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the broth, which is the foundation of delicious Kimchi Kalguksu. Pour 1L of anchovy broth into a pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. If you don’t have pre-made broth, you can easily make your own by simmering 1L of water with 1 sheet of kombu and 5-6 dried anchovies for 10 minutes. Remove the anchovies and kombu, and reserve the broth.
Step 2
Once the broth begins to boil, add the well-fermented kimchi (approx. 300-400g), chopped into bite-sized pieces. If your kimchi isn’t very sour or spicy, you can enhance its flavor by adding a pinch of gochugaru, sugar, and minced garlic. Let it simmer together for about 5 minutes until the kimchi becomes tender. At this stage, also add the chopped napa cabbage or regular cabbage (approx. 100g) to make the broth even more refreshing and clean-tasting.
Step 3
Before adding the noodles, give the kalguksu noodles a quick rinse under cold water. This helps to remove excess starch from the surface, preventing the broth from becoming too cloudy and keeping the noodles from sticking together. Be careful not to rinse for too long, as this can wash away some of the noodles’ flavor.
Step 4
Add the rinsed kalguksu noodles to the vigorously boiling kimchi broth. Gently loosen the noodles with chopsticks to prevent them from clumping. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and floating. Adjust the cooking time based on your preference and the thickness of the noodles. Once perfectly cooked, ladle the delicious Kimchi Kalguksu into bowls and enjoy it hot. You can garnish with chopped green onions, seaweed flakes, or a poached egg, if desired.
