Kongguksu
Cold noodles in a chilled, nutty soy milk broth.
Ingredients
- 200 g Wheat noodles
- 200 g Firm tofu
- 1 Cucumber
- 1 tsp Salt
- 4 tbsp Sesame seeds (optional)
Method
- Blend the tofu and toasted sesame seeds with cold water and the salt into a smooth, nutty broth, then chill it in the fridge.
- Boil the wheat noodles until tender, then chill under cold running water and drain well.
- Julienne the cucumber.
- Pile the noodles in bowls, pour over the cold broth, and top with the cucumber.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Kongguksu
Kongguksu is a Korean cold noodle dish built around a chilled, nutty soy-milk broth made fresh from ground beans — its name literally means "bean noodles." It's summer food, eaten to cool down in the heat, and it's as much about the broth as the noodles: traditionally soybeans are soaked, cooked, and blended into a smooth, creamy liquid. This streamlined version reaches the same effect by blending firm tofu with toasted sesame seeds and cold water, delivering the signature richness without the long soak, then chilling it thoroughly before serving.
The broth is the whole point — pale, thick, and faintly sweet, with a deep roasted nuttiness from the sesame and the earthy body of the tofu. It coats chewy wheat noodles that have been boiled and then shocked cold, so the whole bowl is cool and refreshing rather than heavy, despite the creamy texture. Julienned cucumber on top adds crunch and a clean, watery bite that offsets the density of the broth. It's usually seasoned simply with salt at the table and eaten as a light main on a hot day; the restraint is deliberate, letting the pure taste of the beans and sesame carry the dish.
Kongguksu: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Kongguksu?
A serving has about 644 calories — 28.3g protein, 90.3g carbs, 20.7g fat, 8.2g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is it high in protein?
Each serving has about 28.3g of protein, roughly 18% of its calories.
Is Kongguksu gluten-free?
As written, no — it contains Wheat noodles. You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for that ingredient to make it gluten-free.
How long does Kongguksu take to make?
About 25 minutes start to finish, but only around 11 of those are hands-on — the rest is cooking time. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Kongguksu?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out sesame seeds — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Kongguksu make?
This recipe makes 2 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.