- 1 pound (450g) thinly sliced beef sirloin or ribeye, cut against the grain
- 8 ounces (225g) fresh or dried Korean wheat noodles (or substitute with ramen or udon)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced (separate white and green parts)
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (optional, for a touch of acidity)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (to balance flavors)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: sesame seeds, sliced chili, soft-boiled egg, shredded carrots, bok choy
For a vegetarian twist, you can swap beef for sliced tofu or tempeh, and use vegetable broth instead of beef stock. Growing up, I often experimented with substitutions, especially when my grandma’s pantry was running low—those improvisations often turned into new favorites.