Twenty-Five Twenty-One Janchi Guksu (잔치국수)
Why this food?
Korea's celebratory noodle soup — thin white noodles in a warm anchovy broth with egg, zucchini, and seaweed. Simple, comforting, and full of meaning.
🇰🇷 K-Culture Tip
잔치국수 (janchi = feast, guksu = noodles) is eaten at every major celebration — weddings, birthdays, graduations. Long noodles symbolize longevity and lasting bonds in Korean culture, so cutting them is considered bad luck at a party. Offering someone janchi guksu is a way of saying 'I'm celebrating you.' In Twenty-Five Twenty-One, sharing noodles is never just about eating.
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Substitute Ingredients
All available at Walmart
| Original | Substitute |
|---|---|
Thin wheat noodles (somyeon) 소면 | Angel hair pasta or thin vermicelli Barilla Cook al dente — noodles soften further in hot broth Shop at Walmart |
Anchovy broth 다시 | Dashi powder or chicken bouillon Ajinomoto Clear, light broth — do not use beef broth (too heavy) Shop at Walmart |
Eggs (for garnish) 달걀 | Large eggs Cook as thin flat omelette, slice into strips for topping Shop at Walmart |
🛒 Can't find it at Walmart? Try a Korean grocery store
Your Shopping List
Walmart edition
- 4 oz dry Angel hair pasta or thin vermicelli
- 1 tsp in 4 cups water Dashi powder or chicken bouillon
- 2 eggs Large eggs
Instructions
- 1
Make broth: simmer 4 cups water with 1 tsp dashi powder + 1 tsp soy sauce + pinch salt for 5 minutes
- 2
Beat 1 egg with pinch of salt, cook as thin flat omelette in buttered pan, slice into thin strips
- 3
Sauté julienned zucchini in sesame oil with pinch of salt and garlic for 2 minutes
- 4
Cook thin vermicelli noodles (or angel hair pasta) per package, drain and rinse with cold water
- 5
Divide noodles into bowls, ladle hot broth over, top with egg strips, zucchini, and toasted seaweed strips
- 6
Finish with sesame seeds and a drizzle of sesame oil
