Slow Cooker Korean Beef Noodles
Tender ox cheek slow-cooked in a spicy-sweet Korean-style sauce with gochujang, soy, and aromatics, then tossed with chewy udon noodles and fresh coriander for a deeply comforting, flavor-packed noodle dish.
4 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 large onion finely diced
- 2 tablespoons gochujang Korean chili paste
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon garlic-ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3.5 ounces low-sodium beef stock
- 14 ounces ox cheek or substitute with oxtail, short ribs, or chuck roast
- 4 pouches ready-to-use ready-to-wok udon noodles
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander
- 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds for garnish
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Sauce Base
- In the bowl of a slow cooker, combine the diced onion, gochujang, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic-ginger paste, tomato paste, and beef stock. Stir until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Add the Beef
- Place the ox cheek into the slow cooker, ensuring all sides are coated in the sauce. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender.
Shred the Beef
- Once fully cooked, carefully remove the ox cheek from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker and stir gently to incorporate.
Add the Noodles and Herbs
- Add the udon noodles and chopped coriander to the slow cooker. Stir gently, then switch the heat to high and cook for an additional 25 minutes, allowing the noodles to absorb the sauce and warm through.
Season and Serve
- Season the dish with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Garnish with black sesame seeds just before serving.
Notes
To make this dish gluten-free, substitute tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce for the dark soy sauce. Replace the udon noodles with gluten-free rice noodles or sweet potato noodles (glass noodles). Ensure the gochujang used is labeled gluten-free, as some brands may contain wheat.