Korean Beef Noodles (Printer-friendly)
Tender beef, fresh vegetables, and chewy noodles in a Korean-style savory-sweet sauce.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Beef
01 - 12 oz beef sirloin or ribeye, thinly sliced
02 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
03 - 1 tsp sesame oil
04 - 1 tsp sugar
05 - 1 garlic clove, minced
→ Noodles
06 - 10 oz Korean sweet potato noodles (dangmyeon) or dried udon noodles
→ Vegetables
07 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
08 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
09 - 3.5 oz shiitake or button mushrooms, sliced
10 - 3.5 oz baby spinach
11 - 2 spring onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
→ Sauce
12 - 3 tbsp soy sauce
13 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
14 - 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
15 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
16 - 2 tsp sesame oil
17 - 1 tbsp water
18 - 1 tsp grated ginger
→ Garnish
19 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
20 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine the sliced beef with soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and minced garlic in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and let marinate for at least 10 minutes to absorb flavors.
02 - Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add noodles and cook according to package directions until just tender. Drain well, rinse under cold water to stop cooking, and set aside.
03 - Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, gochujang, rice vinegar, sesame oil, water, and grated ginger in a small bowl until sugar dissolves completely. Set aside for later use.
04 - Heat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil, then sauté carrot, bell pepper, and mushrooms for 3–4 minutes until just tender. Add spinach and spring onions, cooking 1–2 minutes more until wilted. Transfer vegetables to a plate.
05 - In the same wok, add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until browned and cooked through, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
06 - Return cooked vegetables and noodles to the wok with the beef. Pour in the sauce and toss everything together for 2–3 minutes until heated through and evenly coated with sauce.
07 - Divide the noodles among serving bowls. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce hits that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and just enough heat to make things interesting
- It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like something you simmered all afternoon
02 -
- Dont skip rinsing the noodles after cooking, it keeps them from becoming a gummy mess
- Have all your ingredients prepped before you start cooking, the stir-fry part moves fast
03 -
- Freeze the beef for 30 minutes before slicing, it will cut cleanly into thin strips
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for a minute, the aroma is worth the extra step