Kongguksu (Cold Soy Milk Noodles)

Kongguksu brings together cold wheat noodles and a pale, creamy soybean broth for one of Korea’s most refreshing noodle bowls. The broth is made by boiling soaked soybeans, blending them with cold water and seasoning simply, so the flavour stays clean, nutty and gently savoury rather than heavy. Served well chilled with springy noodles, crisp cucumber and roasted sesame seeds, it is satisfying without being rich. Much of the work is hands-off soaking and chilling, making the final dish straightforward to assemble when you want a cool, plant-based meal with a distinctive silky texture.
Cuisine style Korean chilled noodle dish
Flavor profile Creamy • Nutty • Light and fresh
Techniques Soaking • Boiling • Blending
Key equipment Blender • Large pot • Colander
Cooking style Make-ahead friendly • Meal prep friendly
Time commitment Make-ahead friendly

Why this recipe works

  • Naturally creamy broth: Soaked and boiled soybeans blend into a smooth, dairy-free broth with a rich but clean texture.
  • Built for serving cold: Chilled broth, rinsed noodles and crisp cucumber make the dish light, cooling and easy to eat.
  • Simple seasoning: Salt and sesame keep the focus on the soybean flavour rather than masking it with heavy seasonings.

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Timing notes

  • Soak the beans ahead: The soybeans need a long soak so they cook evenly and blend into a smoother broth.
  • Serve very cold: Chill the broth thoroughly before serving; kongguksu should feel refreshing rather than lukewarm.
  • Assemble at the last moment: Keep the broth, noodles and toppings separate until serving so the noodles stay springy and the cucumber stays crisp.

Ingredient notes

  • Use dried soybeans: Freshly cooked and blended soybeans give kongguksu its clean, nutty flavour and naturally creamy body.
  • Rinse the cooked beans well: Cooling and rinsing the beans after boiling helps keep the broth pale, fresh-tasting and smooth.
  • Choose springy noodles: Wheat noodles give the classic bouncy texture, while soba makes the bowl nuttier and slightly firmer.

Make-ahead tips

  • Keep components separate: Store the soy milk broth and noodles in separate airtight containers to protect the texture.
  • Prepare the garnish later: Cut the cucumber close to serving time and add sesame at the end for the freshest finish.
  • Do not reheat: This dish is meant to be served cold; refresh the noodles under cold running water instead.

Authenticity notes

  • A warm-weather Korean dish: Kongguksu is commonly served as a cooling summer noodle dish, prized for its chilled broth and restrained seasoning.
  • Home-style simplicity: The preparation is deliberately plain, letting the soybean broth, cold noodles and simple toppings define the bowl.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Rinse the soybeans, then cover generously with cold water and soak for 8 to 12 hours at cool room temperature. Drain and rinse well.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add the soaked soybeans and boil for 8 to 10 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold running water until fully cool.
  3. Put the cooled soybeans in a blender with 900 ml cold water and 1 tsp of the fine sea salt. Blend until very smooth and creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down as needed.
  4. Pour the soy milk into a bowl and stir in the ice cubes to chill it quickly. Taste and season with the remaining 0.5 tsp fine sea salt, then refrigerate until very cold.
  5. Bring a large pot of water to the boil and cook the stir-fry wheat noodle until tender but still springy. Drain in a colander, then rinse thoroughly under very cold running water until the noodles are completely chilled.
  6. Cut the cucumber into fine matchsticks. Divide the cold noodles between two bowls, pour over the chilled soy milk broth, then top with the cucumber and roasted sesame seeds.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the cleanest flavour, rinse the cooked soybeans well and blend with very cold water so the broth stays pale and creamy.
  • If serving to young children, pregnant people, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, ensure the soybeans are boiled thoroughly and the dish is kept properly chilled until serving.

Substitutions

  • Replace Stir-fry wheat noodle with Soba noodles for a nuttier, slightly firmer noodle.
  • Replace Roasted sesame seeds with White sesame seeds, lightly toasted in a dry pan, for a fresher aroma.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Store the soy milk broth and noodles separately in airtight containers. Serve the broth very cold; refresh the noodles under cold running water before serving, and add the cucumber and roasted sesame seeds at the last moment.

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Kongguksu (Cold Soy Milk Noodles)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Total time: 2h 20min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Korean
  • Allergens:
    Gluten Sesame Soybeans Wheat
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