Description
This Slow Cooker Korean Beef Noodles recipe delivers tender, flavorful ox cheek simmered in a rich, spicy sauce infused with gochujang and aromatic garlic-ginger paste. Combined with soft udon noodles and garnished with fresh coriander and black sesame seeds, this dish offers a comforting and hearty Korean-inspired meal perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Sauce
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons gochujang
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3 1/2 ounces low-sodium beef stock
- 14 ounces ox cheek (or substitute ox tail, short ribs, or chuck roast)
Noodles and Garnish
- 4 pouches ready-to-use udon noodles
- 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh coriander, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds, for garnish
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Finely dice the onion to create a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: In your slow cooker, add diced onion, gochujang, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, light brown sugar, garlic-ginger paste, tomato paste, and low-sodium beef stock. Stir these ingredients together to create a rich, spicy sauce.
- Add the Beef: Place the 14 ounces of ox cheek on top of the sauce mixture in the slow cooker. This cut will thoroughly absorb the flavors and become tender after slow cooking.
- Cook the Beef Low and Slow: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 8 hours. This long, slow cooking process breaks down the meat until it is tender and easy to shred.
- Shred the Beef: Once cooked, remove the beef and shred it with forks. Return the shredded meat back into the slow cooker, mixing it into the sauce to soak up even more flavor.
- Add Noodles and Coriander: Add the ready-to-use udon noodles and fresh chopped coriander to the slow cooker. Increase the heat to high and cook for an additional 25 minutes to warm the noodles through and marry the flavors.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Sprinkle black sesame seeds on top as a garnish before serving to add a nutty crunch and visual appeal.
Notes
- Ox cheek can be substituted with other braising cuts like ox tail, short ribs, or chuck roast if preferred.
- Ready-to-use udon noodles cook quickly, but if using dried noodles, cook separately according to package instructions before adding to slow cooker.
- Adjust gochujang quantity to control the heat level of the dish.
- If fresh coriander isn’t available, parsley can be a mild alternative garnish.
- This dish can be served with steamed vegetables or kimchi to balance the rich beef flavors.
