Welcome to a refreshing twist on Korean comfort food: Bibim Somen, or Spicy Mixed Noodles. This vibrant, chilled dish is the perfect answer to a hot day, offering a delightful contrast between cooling Somen noodles and a fiery, yet balanced sweet-spicy sauce. The noodles used are thin, delicate wheat flour noodles (somen), which are boiled and immediately rinsed in cold water to achieve that satisfyingly chewy texture.

The essence of the dish lies in its signature dressing, a tantalizing blend of Gochujang (Korean chili paste), vinegar, sugar or syrup, and often a touch of garlic and sesame oil. This creates a complex harmony of flavors—sweet, sour, and intensely spicy. Bibim Somen is typically topped with fresh, julienned vegetables like cucumber and cabbage, and sometimes a hard-boiled egg or thin slices of beef for added substance.

The history of Bibim Somen is part of a larger tradition of Korean noodle dishes (Guksu) that have been enjoyed across the country for centuries, particularly during celebrations and gatherings, as noodles symbolize longevity. While many traditional noodle dishes are served hot in broth, the spicy chilled noodle variation (like the more famous Bibim Guksu) gained widespread popularity in the modern era, becoming a beloved summertime staple. The use of somen (which is also common in Japan) reflects the historical influence and easy availability of various thin noodle types throughout the region.

Fun Fact: Because the name Somen is also used in Japan, the Korean dish is sometimes referred to as Bibim Guksu (비빔국수), which simply means mixed noodles, emphasizing the fiery Korean seasoning over the noodle type!

Serves

For 2 Persons Preparation Time ca. 15 Minuten

Ingredients

• 200g Somen Noodles
• 1/4 Cucumber slices
• 1 Hard-boiled Egg
• ★ 2 tablespoons Kochujang (Gochujang/Red Pepper Paste)
• ★ 1 piece of Garlic (clove/minced)
• ★ 1 tablespoon Sugar
• ★ 2 tablespoons Vinegar
• ★ 1.5 to 2 tablespoons Sesame Oil

Instructions

• Boil the noodles according to the time specified on the package. After boiling, place them in cold water to remove the heat and drain them well.
• Mix all the seasonings marked with **★** to create the Yangnyeom (sauce). After mixing, always check the taste and adjust the flavor with vinegar.
• Put the noodles in a deep bowl, top with cucumber, hard-boiled egg, and add the Yangnyeom.