Soup

Kimchi Sujebi (Kimchi Hand-Pulled Noodle Soup)

Original name: Kimchi Sujebi

A steaming bowl of kimchi sujebi, with hand-torn dough pieces and vegetables in a reddish broth, garnished with green onions.
Prep
30 minutes
Cook
30 minutes
Servings
4
KoreanIntermediateDinnerLunchVegetarianDairy Free

About this dish

Kimchi sujebi is a rustic Korean comfort food that combines chewy, hand-torn wheat flour dumplings with a deeply savory broth made from aged kimchi and its tangy juice. Originating as a frugal home dish, it transforms humble pantry staples into a hearty, soul-warming bowl that's perfect for cold days.

The dough is pulled directly into the simmering pot, creating irregular, tender pieces that soak up the spicy, umami-rich broth. With a balance of heat, sourness, and earthy depth, this one-pot meal is both satisfying and surprisingly simple to make.

Ingredients

UK and US measurements are both included for every recipe.

all-purpose flour

grain

2 cups (240g)

Imperial measurement: 2 cups

water

liquid

1/2 cup (120ml)

Imperial measurement: 1/2 cup

salt

seasoning

1/2 teaspoon

vegetable oil

fat

1 tablespoon

aged kimchi

vegetable

2 cups (300g)

Imperial measurement: 2 cups

kimchi juice

liquid

1/2 cup (120ml)

Imperial measurement: 1/2 cup

garlic

herb

4 cloves, minced

Imperial measurement: 4 cloves

gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)

spice

1 tablespoon

toasted sesame oil

fat

1 tablespoon

soy sauce

seasoning

2 tablespoons

dried kelp (dashima)

other

1 piece, about 3-inch square

Imperial measurement: 1 piece

onion

vegetable

1/2 medium, thinly sliced

Imperial measurement: 1/2 medium

zucchini

vegetable

1 small, thinly sliced

Imperial measurement: 1 small

water

liquid

6 cups (1.4 liters)

Imperial measurement: 6 cups

green onions

vegetable

2, chopped

Imperial measurement: 2

toasted sesame seeds

spice

1 teaspoon

Method

1

Make the dough

20 minutes

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and water. Mix with your hands until a shaggy dough forms. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 20 minutes.

2

Prepare the broth base

10 minutes

Meanwhile, in a large pot, combine the water and dried kelp. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the kelp and discard, keeping the broth on low heat.

3

Sauté the aromatics and kimchi

5 minutes

In a separate skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, and sliced kimchi. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and the kimchi starts to soften. Stir in the gochugaru and cook for another minute until the chili flakes release their color and aroma.

4

Combine and simmer the broth

10 minutes

Transfer the sautéed kimchi mixture to the pot with the kelp broth. Add the kimchi juice, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

5

Add the vegetables

2 minutes

Add the sliced zucchini and onion to the broth and cook for 2 minutes, just until slightly tender.

6

Tear the dough into the pot

5 minutes

On a floured surface, roll the rested dough into a large thin circle, about 1/4-inch thick. With floured hands, pinch off pieces of dough and stretch them slightly with your fingers. Drop each piece directly into the simmering broth. Stir gently to prevent sticking.

7

Cook the sujebi

7 minutes

Let the sujebi cook in the gently simmering broth for 5-7 minutes, until the dough pieces float to the surface and are cooked through. They should be chewy and slightly translucent.

8

Finish and serve

0 minutes

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or soy sauce if needed. Ladle into bowls, garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot, with a side of kimchi or banchan if desired.

Equipment

  • Large pot (Dutch oven)
  • Mixing bowl
  • Rolling pin
  • Skillet
  • Floured surface

Nutrition facts

360 kcal
Calories
12 g
Protein
68 g
Carbohydrates
10 g
Fat
4 g
Fiber
1200 mg
Sodium

Tips

  • For a richer flavor, use well-fermented, aged kimchi. The extra sourness enhances the broth.
  • If you prefer a spicier soup, add more gochugaru to taste, or include a touch of gochujang.
  • To make the dough easier to handle, rest it longer (up to 30 minutes) and keep your hands lightly floured while pulling.
  • The sujebi pieces should be irregular—that's the charm. Don't worry about perfect shapes.

Serving suggestions

  • Serve immediately as a main dish with a side of fresh kimchi or other banchan.
  • For.
  • For a complete meal, add a bowl of steamed rice on the side.

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Hyunwoo Kim

Recipe by

Hyunwoo Kim

Specialises in Korean cuisine

Hyunwoo makes kimchi by hand in a traditional onggi pot. He speaks to it like a pet.

Describe yourself in three words: Devoted, fermented, kimchi whisperer.