Korean Soy Milk Noodle Soup: Traditional Kongguksu Recipe

INTRODUCTION

Kongguksu is a Korean favorite perfect for hot summer days. This refreshing soy milk noodle soup combines the nutty flavor of soy milk with the moist cold noodles, making for a light and healthy dessert As often enjoyed in summer , easy to make Kongguksu, a delicious blend for everyone’s taste It’s possible.

Dive into the recipe and learn how to make this Korean classic at home. Explore the refreshing delights of konguksu, a creamy, fruity Korean noodle dish perfect for cooling off on hot summer days.

What is Kongguksu?

In Korean, ‘Kong’ means soybeans and ‘Guksu’ means noodles. Kongguksu is made with thin wheat noodles and cold water made with Ground Soybeans—making it a winter favorite!

What does the soy milk soup taste like?

This soy milk soup is fruity, rich, yet bland in flavor. In Korean culture, we love putting a lot of sugar or a lot of salt so we can enjoy it on the sweet side, making it much more palatable. I personally like my konguksu on the sweet side!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup organic dried soybeans (or dried chickpeas, or one 425g can of chickpeas)
• 5 cups water
• 3/4 tsp fine sea salt , divided (1/4 tsp for boiling + 1/2 tsp for blending)
• 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 Tbsp pine nuts
• 1 Tbsp walnuts
• 200 g somen noodles 
• 2 cups soy milk unsweetened and chilled
• 1 tsp sugar , raw
• 50 g cucumber, julienned
• 1 to 2 cherry tomatoes , halved
• 1 to 2 eggs , boiled and halved

Instructions

Prepare soybeans

1. Soak the dried soybeans in some hot water at 100°C / 212°F for an hour or let it sit in warm water at room overnight, at least 6-8 hours.
2. Drain and rinse soybeans under running water. Loosen the sticking-out shells.
3. Soaking soybeans in a pot with water and add 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook over middle heat 15 minutes, removing bubbles with a spoon.
4. Reduce the heat to medium and let it continue simmering for another 40 to 45 minutes, until the soybeans are cooked.
5. Rinse the soybeans under running water to remove any remaining shells. Set aside. 1/2 cup of dried soybeans 96g / 3.4 oz yield about 1 c 183g / 6.5 oz after cooking.

Get the other ingredients ready

1. Grind sesame seeds, chives, and walnuts in a mortar and pestle into small pieces. The fact that this is handmade is what plays the main role, allowing you to get better because the eggs and seeds do not mix well with the blender, hence being able to blend into soup very well.
2. Cook the somen noodles in boiling water until al dente; the general cooking time is about 3-5 minutes. Drain the cooked noodles and rinse them under cold running water to cool them.
3. Place the prepared soybeans, soy milk, ground nut mixture from step two, sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt in a blender. Blend until smooth and well combined.
4. Move the somen noodles cooked into a serving bowl and pour the soymilk mixture over it in adequacy. Garnish with sliced ​​cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and half-cooked pepper.
5. Now throw some kimchi into the noodles: winter varieties like cucumber kimchi or young radish kimchi will go well with this.

Tips For Making Kongguksu

• Use fresh ingredients: Soybeans and fresh vegetables will make a big difference in taste.
• Adjust the consistency: Feel free to adjust the thickness of the soymilk base by adding more or less water depending on your preference.
• Try toppings: Try different toppings, such as kimchi, sliced ​​radish, or toasted sesame seeds, for a variety.
• Serve cold: Kongguksu is best enjoyed cold. When preparing ahead, separate the noodles and soy milk and combine before serving.

Health Benefits of Kongguksu

Not only is Kongguksu delicious, it is also very nutritious. The soy milk base is high in protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients like calcium and iron. Fresh vegetables add fiber and vitamins, making this a well-rounded meal. It’s also vegan-friendly and easily modified to suit different dietary needs.

CONCLUSION

Kongguksu is a very unique and delicious Korean dish that refreshes the tongue and taste buds from the hot soup dishes. It’s ideal for summer time when all you want to have is something light, yet heavy enough in volume. Rich, creamy soy milk with firm noodles and refreshing toppings-perfect summer favorite. Try this, and bring a taste of Korea into your home!

FAQ’s