Bajirak Kalguksu — Hand-Cut Noodles in Clam Broth

⏱ 55 min · Serves 4

A bowl of milky-sweet clam broth with slippery hand-cut wheat noodles, courgette ribbons and a slick of toasted sesame. Comfort in under an hour, and the broth costs almost nothing.

Per serving: 465 kcal · 24.0g protein · 66.0g carbs · 9.0g fat

Ingredients

• 300g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1 tsp fine salt
• 150ml cold water
• 1 tbsp neutral oil
• 1kg fresh clams (palourde or manila), scrubbed
• 1.6 litres water
• 1 large piece dried kelp (kombu/dashima), about 10x10cm
• 4 dried anchovies (optional, or 1 tbsp anchovy sauce)
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 courgette, cut into thin matchsticks
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 2 spring onions, sliced
• 1 red chilli, sliced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
• Salt and black pepper
• Toasted sesame seeds, to serve

Method

1. Mix flour and salt, add water and oil, and knead 8–10 minutes to a firm, smooth dough. Wrap and rest 30 minutes at room temperature.
2. Meanwhile soak the clams in heavily salted cold water for 20 minutes to purge grit, then rinse well and discard any that stay open when tapped.
3. Put the 1.6 litres water, kelp and dried anchovies in a large pot. Bring slowly to a bare simmer, then remove the kelp and anchovies after 10 minutes.
4. Roll the dough out on a well-floured surface to about 2mm thick, dust generously, fold loosely into a flat roll and cut into 4mm wide noodles. Shake apart in plenty of flour.
5. Add garlic and onion to the broth and simmer 3 minutes. Add the clams, cover, and cook 3–4 minutes until they open. Lift the clams out with a slotted spoon and set aside; discard any unopened.
6. Shake excess flour off the noodles and drop them straight into the simmering broth. Cook 4–5 minutes, stirring gently, until tender and the broth has thickened slightly.
7. Add courgette and cook 1 minute. Season with soy sauce, salt and pepper, then return the clams to warm through.
8. Ladle into deep bowls, finish with spring onion, chilli, sesame oil and sesame seeds, and eat immediately.