Korean Perilla Seed Noodle Soup (Deulkkae Guksu)

About This Recipe

Deulkkae guksu uses ground perilla seeds blended into a broth to create a rich, nutty, slightly creamy base for chilled noodles, a specialty especially associated with Korea's Gangwon province where perilla is widely grown. It's distinct from sesame-based Korean noodle dishes, with perilla's flavor being earthier and more herbal. Straining the ground perilla seed mixture thoroughly is important to get a smooth broth rather than a gritty one — the seeds need to be blended finely and passed through a fine strainer before combining with the other broth ingredients.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 0.75 cupperilla seeds(toasted)
• 3 cupswater
• 1 cupvegetable stock(chilled)
• 400 gwheat noodles (kalguksu-style)
• 1 tbspsoy sauce
• 0.5 tspfine sea salt
• 1cucumber(julienned)
• 2scallions(sliced)
• 1 tbsptoasted sesame seeds

Instructions

1. 1

   Blend the perilla seeds

   Blend toasted perilla seeds with water until as smooth as possible, about 2-3 minutes.

2. 2

   Strain the mixture

   Pass the blended mixture through a fine strainer or cheesecloth, pressing to extract all the liquid and discarding the solids.

   Strain thoroughly — any remaining grit will make the broth unpleasantly sandy.

3. 3

   Season the broth

   Combine the strained perilla liquid with chilled vegetable stock, soy sauce, and salt. Chill in the refrigerator until cold.

4. 4

   Cook the noodles

   Boil wheat noodles according to package directions until tender, then rinse thoroughly under cold water to cool and remove excess starch.

5. 5

   Assemble the bowls

   Divide noodles among bowls and ladle the chilled perilla broth generously over the top.

6. 6

   Garnish and serve

   Top with cucumber, scallions, and sesame seeds. Serve immediately while cold.

Variations

• •

  Add shredded chicken or a soft-boiled egg for a heartier version.

• •

  Mix in sesame seeds or sesame paste alongside the perilla for a blended nutty flavor.

• •

  Use buckwheat noodles for a different texture and flavor pairing.

Storage

Store broth and noodles separately; the broth keeps 2 days refrigerated, but cook noodles fresh each time since they clump when stored dressed.

Frequently Asked Questions