Make delicious Korean beef noodles with ground beef by following this easy and simple recipe. By using ground beef, you can create a flavorful sauce that perfectly complements the tender Korean vermicelli noodles. With just a few ingredients and some basic cooking skills, you can whip up a satisfying and delicious meal that your whole family will love.

Korean beef noodles topped with cucumber in a bowl

Living in the Southern Hemisphere, I’m still adjusting to having summer in January. With my kids on a 6-week summer break, providing three meals a day can be a lot of work, but I love to cook from scratch with fresh ingredients.

However, since I don’t have regular access to Korean groceries, I need to get creative with what’s in my pantry.

If you’re in need of a quick meal idea using ground beef and don’t mind noodles, try this Korean beef noodles for lunch. It’s a simple and delicious dish that’s perfect for warm days.

All you need is Korean wheat vermicelli noodles called makguksu (or somyeon), ground beef, onion, garlic, soy sauce, sugar, and a piece of ginger. This easy recipe came to my rescue and is a crowd-pleaser for my whole family. So why not give it a try for your next meal?

Korean beef bowl with ground beef is another quick Korean dish that you might like. So check it out.

Ground beef sauce

Korean ground beef sauce is the perfect complement to noodles, providing a rich and savory flavor that’s hard to resist. This sauce is one popular way to use ground beef in Korean cuisine.

By combining ground beef with soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and other ingredients, you can create a savory, and slightly sweet beef sauce that pairs perfectly with Korean vermicelli noodles.

Ingredients list

  • Korean vermicelli noodles (makguksu or somyeon): A type of thin, transparent noodle made from wheat flour and starch, commonly used in Korean cuisine.
  • Ground beef: 90% lean preferred: A protein-rich ingredient that adds texture and flavor to the dish. A leaner cut of ground beef is recommended to reduce excess fat.
  • Onion and garlic: A savory addition that adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile of the dish.
  • Ginger: A fragrant and spicy root that adds a subtle undertone of heat and aroma to the dish.
  • Soy sauce: A savory and salty condiment provides flavor and seasoning to the dish.
  • Water: An essential ingredient that helps to balance the taste of the sauce and makes it liquidy.
  • Sugar and Honey: A natural sweetener that adds sweetness to the dish, balancing out the savory flavors.
  • Sesame oil and sesame seeds: Adds a nutty aroma and flavor to the dish, enhancing the overall taste.
  • Cucumber: A refreshing and crispy topping that adds a cool and crunchy texture to the dish.

How to make Korean beef noodles

Image collection of ground beef, onion added to a pan to make Korean beef noodle sauce.

To make the beef sauce, start by cooking the chopped onion in a pan until soft.

Minced garlic and ground beef added to onion to make Korean beef sauce for noodles.

Then, add in minced garlic and ground beef. Cook until beef is browned and cooked through.

Korean ground beef sauce being simmered in a pan.

Add soy sauce, water, honey, sugar and a slice of ginger. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 15 minutes over low heat, slightly covered. Remove the ginger slice.

Image collection of ground beef sauce and noodles cooking in a pot of boiling water.

Drizzle sesame oil, sesame seeds, and green onion to the beef sauce and mix well. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, cook Korean vermicelli noodles according to the package direction. Once cooked, rinse the noodles under cold running water and drain.

Korean beef noodles topped with ground beef sauce and cucumber slices.

Serving suggestions

Place an individual portion of Korean vermicelli noodles in a bowl and generously top it with the savory ground beef sauce. For an extra pop of freshness and texture, add some sliced cucumber and fresh chilies as a finishing touch (optional).

Voila! You now have a mouth-watering and visually appealing dish – the simple yet delicious “Korean beef noodles.” Doesn’t this make your taste buds water?

Chopsticks tossing Korean beef noodles with ground beef sauce in a bowl.

As my kids and I dug into the delicious noodles, we couldn’t help but slurp our way through the entire bowl in just a few minutes. The tender and flavorful ground beef paired perfectly with the chewy and cold noodles, while the sliced cucumber provided a refreshing and crisp bite. It was the ideal summer noodle dish!

But don’t let the warm weather limit your enjoyment of this tasty dish – it’s just as satisfying on a cold winter day. So don’t wait another six months to try it out! Your whole family, kids included, will love it.

Try other Korean Noodles

Some of my favorites are:

Korean noodles with beef sauce and cucumber

Easy Korean Beef Noodles

Create tasty Korean beef noodles with this easy recipe. Ground beef makes a flavorful sauce that perfectly complements tender wheat noodles. With just a few ingredients and basic cooking skills, make a satisfying and delicious meal your whole family will enjoy.
5 from 6 ratings

Ingredients

  • 4 servings Korean vermicelli wheat noodles (makguksu), or soba noodles
  • 1/2 cucumber, sliced thinly to matchsticks

Ground beef sauce

  • 2 tsp oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 small onion, minced
  • 2/3 lb (300 g) ground beef
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) water
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 slice ginger, 1/8-inch thick
  • pinches pepper
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 1-2 green onion, chopped

Instructions 

  • Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a pot over medium heat and saute onion and garlic for 2 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until the beef is browned.
  • Add soy sauce, water, sugar, honey, and a slice of ginger. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 15 minutes over low heat, slightly covered. Remove the ginger slice.
  • Add the sesame oil, sesame seeds, and green onion to the beef and mix well. Set aside to cool.
  • Cook vermicelli noodles according to the package directions. Rinse under cold running water and drain. Put in an individual portion of noodles to an each serving bowl.
  • Top with 2-3 tablespoonful of beef sauce over the noodles and add the cucumber slices. Drizzle more sesame oil if you wish.

Notes

  • Try with different types of noodles, such as; soba noodles, udon noodles, or rice noodles.
  • Minced fresh chili can be added to the beef sauce if you like a heat.
Calories: 509kcal, Carbohydrates: 61g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 54mg, Sodium: 2149mg, Potassium: 459mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 31IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 68mg, Iron: 4mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @beyondkimchee on Instagram. I love to see your masterpiece.