Makguksu (Perilla Oil Noodles)
Makguksu is a light and refreshing Korean buckwheat noodle dish tossed with perilla oil and a savory-sweet dressing. Easy, quick, and perfect for a no-cook summer meal.
Ingredients
- 2 servings (about 3.5 oz or 100g) buckwheat noodles or somyeon noodles
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) sour cabbage kimchi
- 2 green onion finely chopped
- 2 raw egg yolk optional
- 1 packet (0.1 oz or 4 g) roasted seaweed snack
- 3 tbsp (27 g) toasted sesame seeds crushed
Noodle dressing
- 1 ½ tbsp (22 ml) tsuyu
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) soy sauce
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice or mild vinegar
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) honey
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) perilla oil plus more to drizzle
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) Korean mustard (yeongeoja) optional
Instructions
- Cook the noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add buckwheat noodles (or somyeon) and cook according to the package directions. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the noodles and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water. Swirl them in an ice bath for extra chewiness, then drain well and set aside.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine tsuyu, soy sauce, lemon juice (or vinegar), honey, and perilla oil. If desired, add a little Korean mustard for extra zing. Stir well to mix. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Prepare the Kimchi Topping: Rinse the sour kimchi under water to remove excess chili paste. Squeeze out the moisture and chop into bite-size pieces.
- Assemble and garnish: Place the noodles in a serving bowl. Drizzle with about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the dressing per serving, along with a little extra perilla oil. Garnish with rinsed kimchi, chopped green onion, roasted seaweed, egg yolk, and crushed sesame seeds. For a vegan version, simply omit the yolk.
- Mix and enjoy: Break the egg yolk (if using) and mix everything together. Serve immediately and enjoy while cold.
Nutrition
Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 194mg | Sodium: 1923mg | Potassium: 223mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 433IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 3mg