Bibim-Guksu, or the refreshing Korean spicy mixed cold noodles, are perfect for hot summer days. Combining thin wheat noodles with a spicy, tangy sauce and fresh vegetables, it’s a quick, flavorful meal that is simply delicious!
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**Recipe originally published: July 20, 2024, Post updated: June 26, 2025
quick and easy summer meal
You can beat the summer heat by indulging in this delicious and savory cold noodle dish. It’s a light and refreshing meal that’s so easy and quick to make, it will take you roughly only 15 minutes!
I love it so much that it’s one of my go-to options for lunch. Especially since there’s minimal cooking required!
If you’re looking for something fast to have in between your schedules, or a dinner that’s not too heavy, then this dish is a great option.
What Is Bibim-Guksu?
Bibim-Guksu is a cold noodle dish made from thin wheat flour noodles (known as Somyeon or Somen), mixed with an array of vegetables and a spicy, tangy sauce. The word “bibim” translates to “mixed”, while “guksu” means “noodles” in Korean.
You might also be familiar with the alternative version of the dish, that is Bibimbap, which contains rice as a base instead of noodles.
Toppings and Plating
In this recipe, I kept the toppings for my dish simple with just kimchi, cucumber, an egg, and sesame seeds. But you can add on with anything to your liking. Some examples include carrots, scallions, perilla leaves, and Korean radishes.
There are also Korean regional variations on the kind of toppings that will be added. For instance, some would prefer to add fruits like pear or apple for sweetness.
When it comes to plating, there are a few of options. Traditionally, the toppings are placed separately on top of the noodles, allowing for us to mix everything together just before eating. In this case, you can opt to serve the sauce on top, or on the side.
Alternatively, you can also mix everything together before serving!
Ingredients For Bibim-Guksu (Korean Spicy Mixed Noodles)
(For full ingredient measurements, please proceed to the recipe card below.)
- Somyeon noodles (thin wheat flour noodles): Somyeon or somen noodles are thin and have a smooth texture. When mixed with the sauce, they absorb the flavors well, ensuring a flavorful taste with every bite.
- Kimchi
- Toasted sesame seeds
Sauce
- Kimchi brine
- Sugar
- Light soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Gochujang
- Rice vinegar
- Hot water
Other ingredients
- Persian cucumber: Sliced thinly lengthwise
- Egg(s)
how to make easy bibim guksu (korean spicy mixed cold noodles)
Step 1: Optional step: Grind toasted sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle until it turns into a rough powder.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, add kimchi. Cut the kimchi into smaller pieces with scissors. In the same bowl, add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Adjust to taste (see notes).
Step 3: Bring a pot of water to a boil and add noodles. Cook per package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse well under cold running water to remove as much starch as possible and until the noodles are cold.
Step 4: Once the noodles have stopped dripping water, add to the bowl with the sauce and mix well.
Step 5: Slice cucumbers lengthwise to your preferred thickness and boil egg(s).
Step 6: Serve cucumber and peeled egg with noodles and sprinkle the ground sesame seeds on top. Enjoy!
notes for easy bibim-guksu (korean spicy mixed noodles)
- Rice vinegar amount: Depends on how fermented your kimchi is, the level of sourness will differ. If your kimchi is not as ripe and it’s not as sour as you want it to be, add more rice vinegar. Add less if the kimchi is very fermented.
More Korean Recipes
- Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew)
- Spicy Noodles With Korean Corn Cheese
- Mayak Eggs (Korean Marinated Eggs)
- Spicy Rabokki (Ramen and Tteokbokki)
- Gyeran Bap (Korean Fried Egg Rice)
More Summer Recipes
- Zaru Soba (Cold Soba Noodles) | Without Mirin Or Sake
- Cold Refreshing Summer Noodles (10 minutes)
- Mango Sago Dessert Pudding
- Thai Mango Sticky Rice (In Rice Cooker)
- Creamy Fruit Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic Fruit Cocktail)
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Bibim-guksu (Korean Spicy Mixed Cold Noodles)
Ingredients
- 1 serving somyeon noodles (thin wheat flour noodles)
- 3/4 cup kimchi
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Sauce
- 3 tbsp kimchi brine
- 1.5 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp gochujang
- 2 tsp rice vinegar adjust to taste (see notes)
- 1 tbsp hot water
Other ingredients
- 1 Persian cucumber sliced thinly lengthwise
- egg(s)
Instructions
- Optional but highly recommended step: Grind toasted sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle until it turns into a rough powder.
- In a large mixing bowl, add kimchi. Cut the kimchi into smaller pieces with scissors. In the same bowl, add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Adjust to taste (see notes).
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and add noodles. Cook per package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse well under cold running water to remove as much starch as possible and until the noodles are cold.
- Once the noodles have stopped dripping water, add to the bowl with the sauce and mix well.
- Slice cucumbers lengthwise to your preferred thickness and boil egg(s).
- Serve cucumber and peeled egg with noodles and sprinkle the ground sesame seeds on top. Enjoy!
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