Deulkkae Makguksu: Perilla Seed & Sesame Noodles (들깨 막국수)

Deulkkae Makguksu: Perilla Seed & Sesame Noodles (들깨 막국수)

Deulkkae makguksu (들깨 막국수) is a Korean noodle dish built around the rich, nutty flavor of ground perilla seeds.

It can be understood as a variation of sesame noodles, where perilla seeds replace sesame seeds, creating a deeper and more aromatic profile.

Ingredients

soba noodles ground perilla seeds (들깨) soy sauce (간장) crushed seaweed (김) water (1–2 tablespoons)

Optional

sesame seeds sesame oil

Perilla seeds can be replaced with sesame seeds to create a more familiar sesame noodle variation.

Preparation

Cook the soba noodles and rinse in cold water. Drain well — the noodles should be cold before mixing.

Bringing It Together

Place everything in a bowl. Add soy sauce and oil to taste. Mix until evenly coated.

Texture and Flavor

creamy but light deeply nutty savory with a subtle ocean note

The seaweed adds depth and balances the richness of the perilla.

A Note on Simplicity

This dish is immediate.

There is no separate sauce — everything is mixed together at once, keeping the process direct and minimal.