On hot days like these, when I'm tired and have no appetite, a bowl of sweet and sour bibim noodles is the best ^^*

Spicy yet moderately sweet and sour bibim noodles!

As you eat a bowl, your appetite returns and you feel your stress melt away.

However, this seemingly simple bibim noodles can often disappoint when the noodles become soggy or the seasoning doesn't mix well with the noodles.

But if you get a few key points right, you can make a perfect bowl at home like a pro.

The first key is cooking the noodles.

Make sure to use plenty of water to boil them!

About 2 liters is basic. In restaurants, they cook noodles in large pots; using a small pot means less water, which causes the starch to make the noodles soggy. And be sure to add salt. Salt is essential for the noodles to absorb flavor naturally, and even after cooking, they won't taste bland. In the past, some would add a drop or two of oil to prevent the noodles from becoming soggy, but that's not necessary. In fact, just adding salt is cleaner. To prevent the noodles from becoming soggy, it's important to reduce the heat to medium once the water starts boiling, and to drain the noodles when they are just slightly undercooked (that's the key).

What about the boiled noodles? Rinse them thoroughly in cold water!

If you want to do it like a pro, rinsing 5-6 times is basic. You need to rinse until the water runs clear. This way, all the starch that was stuck to the noodles is washed away, keeping them chewy and preventing them from getting soggy until you eat. Putting effort into rinsing the noodles is what makes it a true 'pro's bowl.'

Now, let's prepare the seasoning!

The seasoning I'm introducing today is not just a simple mix of gochujang, vinegar, and sugar.

When you add pear juice and lemon juice, it brings out a gourmet flavor like in a high-end Korean restaurant.

It's spicy yet sweet, sour yet savory. The ingredients are as follows:

• Pear juice 100ml

• Fine red pepper powder 2 tablespoons

• Dark soy sauce 2 tablespoons (the soy sauce is what gives it that pro feel like Paldo bibimyeon!)
  

• Minced garlic 1 tablespoon

• Vinegar 2 tablespoons

• Sugar 2 tablespoons

• Lemon juice 2 tablespoons

• Gochujang 2 tablespoons

• Sesame oil 1 tablespoon

Here, if you add thinly sliced onions, cucumbers, and minced Cheongyang peppers to the seasoning in advance, it will create moist ingredients that perfectly match the bibim noodles as they release some moisture.

Preparing this in advance is an important tip.

This way, the seasoning absorbs better, and when you mix it, the flavors blend evenly.

Now, let's combine the boiled noodles and the seasoning!

Add the seasoning to the noodles and gently mix in one direction. If you mix too vigorously, the noodles will break and the seasoning will scatter.

For garnish, add a bit more cucumber, half a boiled egg, and sprinkle sesame seeds to finish. Depending on your preference, adding a bit of seaweed flakes or mustard can also be delicious.

This bibim noodles made like this is perfect for when you have no appetite in the summer!

It's great to eat alone, and if someone comes over, you can quickly mix it up and receive compliments like "Did you really make this yourself?"

Try making it today.

You'll experience your appetite coming back the moment you take a bite.