4 Simple Steps To Make Perfect Korean-Style Spicy Noodles

Jajangmyeon is a beloved Korean dish featuring savory black bean paste noodles. Originating from Chinese cuisine, it has been adapted and embraced in Korea, where it's enjoyed as a comfort food and is especially popular for takeout. It's a dish known for its comforting, homey taste and is a staple in Korean-Chinese cuisine, often enjoyed in a casual setting or as a quick and hearty meal.

Korean-style spicy noodles, often referred to as “Jajangmyeon” or “Jjampong,” are a popular and delicious dish. Here’s a basic recipe for Jjampong, a spicy noodle soup with seafood and vegetables.

1. Ingredients

For the broth:

– 1 tbsp vegetable oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 inch ginger, minced
– 1 medium onion, chopped
– 1 medium carrot, sliced thinly
– 1/2 bell pepper, sliced thinly
– 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (shiitake or button mushrooms work well)
– 200g (7 oz) seafood mix (shrimp, squid, clams, etc.)
– 1-2 tbsp Korean red pepper paste (gochujang)
– 1 tbsp Korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
– 2 tbsp soy sauce
– 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
– 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
– 1-2 tbsp sugar (to taste)
– Salt and pepper to taste

For the noodles:

– 200g (7 oz) Korean-style wheat noodles (or any other noodles you prefer)

For garnish:

– 2 green onions, chopped
– 1 tbsp sesame seeds
– 1 tbsp sesame oil

2.  Instructions

Step 1- Prepare the broth:

– Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
– Add the chopped onion and cook for another 2-3 minutes until it becomes translucent.
– Stir in the sliced carrot, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
– Add the seafood mix and cook until it turns opaque.
– Stir in the gochujang and gochugaru, mixing well to combine with the vegetables and seafood.
– Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), and chicken or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
– Season with sugar, salt, and pepper to taste.

Step 2- Cook the noodles:

– While the broth is simmering, cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.

Step 3- Combine and serve:

– Add the cooked noodles to the pot with the broth. Stir well to combine.
– Let everything cook together for another 2-3 minutes to ensure the noodles are heated through and have absorbed some of the flavors from the broth.

Step 4- Garnish:

– Ladle the noodles and broth into bowls.
– Drizzle with sesame oil and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

Enjoy your homemade Korean-style spicy noodles! Feel free to adjust the spiciness level to your taste by adding more or less gochugaru or gochujang.