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Korean-style serving of Makguksu

막국수 · Makguksu

Makguksu

막국수

What exactly is it?

These buckwheat noodles are strongly associated with Gangwon. Buckwheat-rich strands break easily and have a grainy aroma. Menus may offer chilled broth, chili dressing or a perilla-oil version with seaweed and sesame.

Main ingredients

Buckwheat noodles, radish-kimchi or meat broth or dressing, seaweed, sesame, radish

Ordering and serving

Add dressing gradually if you want to taste the buckwheat. Perilla-oil versions may also contain soy sauce, seaweed and sesame; the dish name is not a complete allergen list.

Origins and changes

The dish grew from buckwheat-growing and noodle-making traditions in mountainous Gangwon. Dongchimi broth and dressed versions coexist. Different explanations of the syllable mak do not establish a single date or inventor.

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Dish to compare

Makguksu

막국수

Main ingredients
Buckwheat noodles, radish-kimchi or meat broth or dressing, seaweed, sesame, radish
Flavor and character
These buckwheat noodles are strongly associated with Gangwon. Buckwheat-rich strands break easily and have a grainy aroma. Menus may offer chilled broth, chili dressing or a perilla-oil version with seaweed and sesame.
How to eat it
Add dressing gradually if you want to taste the buckwheat. Perilla-oil versions may also contain soy sauce, seaweed and sesame; the dish name is not a complete allergen list.
Read about this dish →

Buckwheat noodles

메밀국수

Main ingredients
Noodles containing buckwheat and often wheat, soy-based dipping sauce or broth, radish, seaweed, scallion
Flavor and character
Memil guksu broadly means buckwheat noodles. On restaurant menus it can refer to a soba-style serving with a separate soy-based dipping sauce. Check whether the noodles are meant to be dressed like makguksu or dipped a bite at a time.
How to eat it
When dipping sauce is served separately, dip small portions of noodles. Buckwheat noodles often contain wheat for structure; they are not automatically wheat-free.
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