Kongguksu (Soy Milk Noodle Soup)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup organic dried soybeans ((or dried chickpeas, or one 425g can of chickpeas))
• 5 cups water
• 3/4 tsp fine sea salt (, divided (1/4 tsp for boiling + 1/2 tsp for blending))
• 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 Tbsp pine nuts
• 1 Tbsp walnuts
• 200 g somen noodles ((thin wheat noodles). (7.1 ounces))
• 2 cups soy milk (unsweetened and chilled)
• 1 tsp sugar (, raw)
• 50 g cucumber ((Lebanese or English), julienned, (1.8 ounces))
• 1 to 2 cherry tomatoes (, halved)
• 1 to 2 eggs (, boiled and halved)

Steps

1. 1

   Soak the dry soybeans in some boiled water (100°C / 212°F) for an hour. Alternatively, you can let them sit in room temperature water overnight, or for at least 6-8 hours.

2. 2

   Drain the water and wash the soybeans under running water. Remove any loose shells that come off.

3. 3

   In a pot, mix soybeans with water and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Boil over medium heat for 15 minutes, skimming off any foam with a spoon. Note: The next three photos show chickpeas.

4. 4

   Reduce the heat to medium-low and boil for another 40-45 minutes until the soybeans are fully cooked.

5. 5

   Rinse the soybeans under running water and remove any remaining shells. Set them aside. 1/2 cup (96g / 3.4 ounces) of dry soybeans will yield approximately 1 cup (183g / 6.5 ounces) after boiling.

6. 6

   With a mortar and pestle, crush the sesame seeds, pine nuts, and walnuts until they’re finely ground. This hands-on method is key for a smooth texture since these nuts and seeds don’t blend well in a blender, helping them mix perfectly into the soup.

7. 7

   Cook the somen noodles in boiling water according to the package instructions, typically for 3-5 minutes. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse them under cold running water to cool.

8. 8

   Place the prepared soybeans, soy milk, ground nut mixture from step 2, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a blender. Blend everything together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

9. 9

   Transfer the cooked somen to a serving bowl and pour the soy milk mixture generously over the noodles. Garnish with cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, and a halved boiled egg.

10. 10

    Serve the noodles with some kimchi. Summer varieties like cucumber kimchi or young radish kimchi complement the dish beautifully.