잔치국수 Janchiguksu
Thin wheat noodles in a light, hot anchovy broth, topped with vegetables and egg strips, eaten as a quick meal.
Spice: Not spicy
Myeon (noodles)
비빔국수 Bibimguksu
Thin wheat noodles served cold in a sweet and sour chili paste sauce, mixed before eating.
- Spicy Noodles
- Spice: Medium
- Vegetarian option
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Thin wheat noodles (somyeon), chili paste (gochujang), vinegar, sesame oil |
| How it's served | A bowl of cold noodles with red sauce on top, often with cucumber and half a boiled egg |
| Spice level | Medium — Clearly spicy. You'll want water nearby. |
| Diet | Vegetarian option — The dish is meat-free, or a meat-free version is commonly served. Still check the broth and sauces. |
| Allergens | Wheat · Soy · Sesame · Egg |
| Ask about | Chopped kimchi (fish, shrimp) is often mixed in; some sauces add fish sauce. |
| On the menu | 비빔국수 (Bibimguksu) |
| Also called | bibim guksu · bibimguksoo · bibim noodles · spicy cold noodles |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Spicy Noodles
Mix the sauce through
Stir the noodles with chopsticks until the red sauce coats every strand.
Eat it while it is cold
The noodles soften as they sit, so start soon after mixing.
Sip broth if it comes
Some places serve a small cup of warm broth. Sip it to ease the heat.
How to order it
Order it as 비빔국수. It comes as a single bowl that one person can order alone.
- On the menu: 비빔국수
- Usually sold: 1 serving
Where it comes from
It is also called goldongmyeon, where goldong means mixing many ingredients together. The dish is recorded in older Korean books, including Dongguksesigi, Siuijeonseo and Buinpilji.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (encykorea.aks.ac.kr)
Similar dishes
잡채 Japchae
Glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables, often with beef, in soy sauce and sesame oil.
Spice: Not spicy
짜장면 Jjajangmyeon
A Korean-Chinese dish of thick wheat noodles topped with a black bean sauce of pork and onion, mixed before eating.
Spice: Not spicy
Questions about Spicy Noodles
Is bibimguksu vegetarian?
Often. The basic version has no meat, but chopped kimchi or fish sauce may be mixed in, so ask the staff.
How spicy is bibimguksu?
Medium. The chili paste sauce is clearly spicy, and the vinegar and sugar soften it a little.
What is the difference between bibimguksu and bibimnaengmyeon?
Bibimguksu uses thin, soft wheat noodles. Bibimnaengmyeon uses chewy buckwheat or starch noodles in a similar spicy sauce.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 25, 2026