Makguksu
Chilled buckwheat noodles with a gochujang dressing
Ingredients
- 90 g Soba noodles (buckwheat)
- 1 tbsp Gochujang
- 1 tbsp Rice vinegar
- 1 tsp Light soy sauce
- 1 tsp Toasted sesame oil
- ⅝ Cucumber
- 130 g Bean sprouts (optional)
- ¾ Carrot (optional)
- 1 Egg (optional)
- 4 Perilla leaves (optional)
- 1 tsp Sesame seeds (optional)
Method
- Beat the gochujang with the rice vinegar, soy and sesame oil until the paste loosens and turns glossy, then leave it to sit so the sharpness settles.
- Lower the egg into simmering water and hold it there until the white is firm but the yolk is still dark and dense at the centre, then cool it under the tap and peel it.
- Cut the cucumber and carrot into fine matchsticks, rinse the bean sprouts, and roll and shred the perilla leaves.
- Boil the buckwheat noodles in unsalted water until they are springy and no longer taste raw at the centre.
- Drain and wash the noodles hard under cold running water to strip the surface starch, then leave them in iced water until they are cold to the knuckle.
- Squeeze the noodles dry a handful at a time, coil them into a cold bowl and turn them through the dressing until every strand has taken colour.
- Bank the cucumber, carrot and sprouts round the noodles, set the egg split down its length against them, and finish with the perilla and sesame seeds.
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About Makguksu
Makguksu is a Korean lunch or dinner that comes together in about 12 minutes and serves 1. It fits anti-inflammatory eating.
Makguksu: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Makguksu?
A serving has about 546 calories — 26.5g protein, 93.9g carbs, 10.8g fat, 5.7g 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 26.5g of protein, roughly 19% of its calories.
Is Makguksu gluten-free?
As written, no — it contains Soba noodles (buckwheat), Gochujang, Light soy sauce. You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for those ingredients to make it gluten-free.
Do I need every ingredient to make Makguksu?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out bean sprouts, carrot, egg — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Makguksu make?
This recipe makes 1 serving. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.