BTS Jungkook’s Makguksu Noodles

What are BTS Jungkook’s Makguksu Noodles?

BTS Jungkook’s makguksu noodles are a creamy and spicy, cold noodle dish that he shared with his fans on the internet, and has became viral ever since. He adds lots of perilla oil for a nutty kick!

BTS Jungkook’s makguksu noodle recipe is his own twist on a traditional, cold, Korean buckwheat noodle dish, makguksu.

Where did BTS Jungkook’s Makguksu Noodles Originate from?

This viral noodle recipe was showcased by Jungkook, himself, in an early-morning Weverse livestream on April 24, 2023 at 6 AM (KST).

Jungkook’s makguksu noodle recipe is a simple, yet healthy, instant noodle dish that only takes 10 minutes to make! Simply toss the sauce ingredients into a bowl of cold buckwheat noodles, mix, and enjoy!

The makguksu noodle sauce is comprised of perilla oil, Buldak Fire Sauce, and Cham sauce being the main ingredients. As with his “BulGuri Instant Ramen Hack” recipe, his love for perilla oil is also shown through his makguksu noodle recipe.

If you are looking for other quick Asian noodle recipes my 10-Minute Gochujang Noodles and Sesame Noodles will sure hit the spot!

Please watch my video, as I walk you through, step-by-step, how to make it.

Now let’s get BTS Jungkook Makguksu Noodle-ing!

What is Makguksu?

Makguksu is a traditional Korean noodle dish that features cold buckwheat noodles. The sauce and toppings offered in makguksu differs from person to person. There are no exact ingredients required to make makguksu, besides, of course, the cold buckwheat noodles. Makguksu typically has a savoury and sour sauce, with vinegar being one of the most common ingredients in the sauce.

What does Makguksu mean?

In Korean, Mak means “right away”, and Guksu means “noodles”. Put it together and we have makguksu, which means “right away noodles” – it basically means instant noodles.

The reason it’s called “right away noodles” is because of its ease in throwing together the ingredients into a bowl for any meal of the day. It is especially telling as Jungkook threw a bowl of these quick noodles at 6 AM – not a very traditional time to eat a large bowl of noodles but who’s watching (except the entire world during his livestream).

What are Buckwheat noodles?

Buckwheat noodles are a type of noodle made from buckwheat flour, renowned for its distinctive nutty flavour and earthy undertones. These noodles, often found in Korean and Japanese cuisine, boast a hearty and slightly chewy texture that adds a delightful contrast to dishes.

The most common buckwheat noodles most are familiar with are Japanese Soba noodles. They are typically dried and packaged, but can also be found fresh.

What is the difference between Korean and Japanese buckwheat noodles?

Korean and Japanese buckwheat noodles share a common base in buckwheat but differ in several aspects. Korean buckwheat noodles are typically made with a combination of buckwheat and starch (such as sweet potato or arrowroot), yielding a chewy and slightly elastic texture. It is commonly served cold and can be found in variations like Makguksu, Mul Naengmyeon (served in a chilled broth), Bibim Naengmyeon (mixed with a spicy sauce).

On the other hand, Japanese buckwheat noodles (soba) are primarily made from buckwheat flour, sometimes blended with wheat flour. Soba noodles have a more delicate and nutty flavour compared to their Korean counterparts. Soba can be enjoyed both hot and cold and is often served with a dipping sauce or in a hot broth. They are typically thicker and less chewier than Korean buckwheat noodles.

What’s the difference between buckwheat and wheat noodles?

Wheat noodles are made from wheat flour, which are not gluten-free, whereas buckwheat noodles are made from buckwheat flour, which is gluten-free.

Buckwheat noodles are a healthier alternative to wheat noodles. They are higher in protein and lower in calories, making it the perfect noodles for those trying to eat healthier.

For this recipe, Jungkook uses Korean Buckwheat noodles, which are not gluten-free as they contain wheat flour, in addition to buckwheat flour.

What is Cham sauce?

Cham sauce is a popular Korean dipping sauce brand used for dipping cooked Korean BBQ meat in. If you’ve ever been to a Korean BBQ and there is a small bowl of savoury and tangy sauce, it is most likely Cham sauce.

Jungkook uses a bottle of this Cham sauce in this recipe, and it can be found in most Korean supermarkets. However, since Cham sauce is a specific brand of sauce, it may not be accessible for all, so I will show you how to make the homemade version!

Cham Sauce Ingredients

• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp white vinegar
• 2 tsp water

Mix all the Cham sauce ingredients together until the sugar is dissolved and now you have your very own, homemade Cham sauce!