Slow Cooker Korean Beef Noodles Recipe
Tender, Flavor-Packed Korean Fusion Comfort Food
If you love hearty comfort food with bold global flavors, this Slow Cooker Korean Beef Noodles Recipe is about to become your next dinner obsession. It’s the perfect meal for busy days — simply load the ingredients into your slow cooker, let the beef braise low and slow for several hours, then toss in chewy noodles for a deliciously satisfying finish. Every bite delivers sweet, spicy, savory richness inspired by classic Korean cooking, thanks to ingredients like gochujang, soy sauce, and garlic-ginger paste.
Whether you’re a meal-prep enthusiast, a slow-cooker fanatic, or you just want an easy weeknight dinner that tastes restaurant-quality, this Korean beef noodles recipe checks all the boxes. Cozy, convenient, and crave-worthy — it’s a fusion dish that brings comfort to the table without compromise.
In this complete guide, you’ll find step-by-step instructions, ingredient tips, variations, cooking FAQs, and serving suggestions so you can confidently make this Slow Cooker Korean Beef Noodles Recipe anytime.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Korean Beef Noodles Recipe
✔️ Effortless cooking — minimal prep, the slow cooker does the work
✔️ Deep, rich flavors — tender braised beef infused with Korean seasoning
✔️ Udon noodles — thick, chewy, and perfect for soaking up sauce
✔️ Versatile — swaps available for meat, spice level, and noodles
✔️ Meal-prep friendly — leftovers store and reheat beautifully
It’s a comfort food must-have — especially on chilly nights when you crave something steamy and flavorful.
🍜 What Is Slow Cooker Korean Beef?
Slow-cooked Korean beef is a fusion dish that borrows flavors from Korean barbecue and traditional braised dishes like galbi jjim. By cooking beef low and slow in a flavorful sauce, the meat becomes incredibly tender, juicy, and shred-worthy.
The secret to Korean-style flavor lies in:
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Gochujang — fermented spicy chili paste with a deep umami punch
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Soy sauce — builds savory notes
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Brown sugar — adds caramel sweetness
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Garlic + ginger — aromatic and essential
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Rice vinegar — balances acidity and brightness
Pairing this with udon noodles creates a comfort-food hybrid that feels familiar yet excitingly different — the best kind of fusion cooking!
📋 Slow Cooker Korean Beef Noodles Recipe
⏱️ Time & Serving Info
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 8 hours 25 minutes |
| Total Time | 8 hours 40 minutes |
| Servings | 4 |
| Category | Main Dish |
| Method | Slow Cooker |
| Cuisine | Korean Fusion |
| Diet | Gluten-Free (use GF soy sauce) |
🛒 Ingredients
For the Beef:
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1 large onion, finely diced
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2 tablespoons gochujang
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2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
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2 tablespoons rice vinegar
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1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed
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1 tablespoon garlic-ginger paste
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1 tablespoon tomato paste
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3 ½ ounces low-sodium beef stock
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14 ounces ox cheek
Substitutes: oxtail, chuck roast, or short ribs
For Serving:
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4 pouches ready-to-use udon noodles
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1–2 tablespoons fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
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1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
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Kosher salt + freshly cracked black pepper to taste
🔪 Instructions
Step 1 — Build the Flavor Base
Add onion, gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic-ginger paste, tomato paste, and beef stock to the bottom of the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
Step 2 — Cook Low & Slow
Place ox cheek on top of the sauce mixture.
Cover and cook:
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Low: 8 hours
or -
High: 4–5 hours (only if you’re short on time)
The beef is done when it falls apart easily with a fork.
Step 3 — Shred and Recombine
Remove the beef, shred into bite-sized pieces, then return it to the slow cooker to soak up all the sauce.
Step 4 — Add Noodles
Stir in udon noodles and chopped coriander.
Cook on High for 20–25 minutes until noodles have absorbed sauce and are warmed through.
Step 5 — Garnish & Serve
Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and enjoy!
🔥 Pro Tips for the BEST Korean Beef Noodles
✔ Sear the meat first for deeper caramelized flavor
✔ Adjust spice by adding more (or less) gochujang
✔ Add a splash of beef stock if the sauce reduces too much
✔ Use fresh udon, not dried — it’s more tender and chewy
✔ Make it saucier? Stir in ½ cup beef broth before noodles go in
Want even richer flavor? Chill the cooked beef overnight—braises always taste better the next day!
🥦 Optional Veggie Add-Ins
Boost nutrition with any of these delicious mix-ins:
| Veggie | When to Add |
|---|---|
| Baby spinach | Last 5 minutes |
| Carrots, julienned | At beginning |
| Bok choy | Last 20 minutes |
| Mushrooms | First half of cooking |
| Bell peppers | Last 20 minutes |
| Broccoli florets | Last 30 minutes |
Veggies add color, texture, and balance to the dish.
🍽️ What to Serve with Korean Beef Noodles
This dish is hearty enough on its own, but here are perfect side pairings:
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Kimchi — spicy fermented crunch
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Cucumber salad — fresh, cooling acidity
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Steamed edamame — protein boost
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Pickled carrots and radishes — brightness and texture
🔁 Variations & Substitutions
Because this Slow Cooker Korean Beef Noodles Recipe is so flexible, try one of these creative twists:
⭐ Protein Swaps
| Swap | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pork shoulder | Super tender and rich |
| Boneless short ribs | Ultimate flavor |
| Chicken thighs | Lighter — shorten cooking time |
| Tofu (firm) | Add in last 30 minutes |
⭐ Noodle Alternatives
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Ramen noodles
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Rice noodles (GF option!)
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Soba
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Even spaghetti if you’re improvising
⭐ Spice Adjustments
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Add gochugaru for extra heat
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Use ssamjang for earthy, nuttier flavor
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Substitute mild chili sauce if cooking for kids
🧊 Storage & Reheating
This dish keeps beautifully — perfect for meal prep.
| Storage Method | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 3–4 days | Store noodles separately if possible |
| Freezer | Up to 3 months | Freeze meat/sauce only — add noodles fresh |
Reheat Tip:
Add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce when warming up.
❓ FAQ — Slow Cooker Korean Beef Noodles Recipe
Can I cook this on High the whole time?
Yes, 4–5 hours on High will work, but Low makes the beef more tender.
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Absolutely — chuck roast and short ribs are excellent alternatives.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Replace beef with mushrooms or tofu and reduce cooking time.
Is it spicy?
Mild-medium heat. Adjust gochujang to preference.
Can I make this ahead?
Yes — the flavors get even better after a night in the fridge!
Slow Cooker Korean Beef Noodles Recipe
These Slow Cooker Korean Beef Noodles are a cozy and flavor-packed fusion meal that cooks low and slow until the beef becomes unbelievably tender. The savory-sweet Korean-inspired sauce — boosted with gochujang, soy, garlic, and a touch of brown sugar — clings beautifully to chewy udon noodles for the ultimate comfort dinner. Just set it and forget it, then return to a rich, satisfying dish your family will love!
Ingredients
For the Beef
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1 large onion, finely diced
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2 tbsp gochujang
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2 tbsp dark soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
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2 tbsp rice vinegar
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1 tbsp packed light brown sugar
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1 tbsp garlic-ginger paste
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1 tbsp tomato paste
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3.5 oz low-sodium beef stock
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14 oz ox cheek
(or substitute oxtail, boneless short ribs, OR chuck roast)
For Serving
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4 pouches ready-to-use udon noodles
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1–2 tbsp fresh coriander (cilantro), roughly chopped
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1 tbsp black sesame seeds — garnish
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Salt & freshly cracked black pepper — to taste
Instructions
1️⃣ Load the Slow Cooker
Add onion, gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic-ginger paste, tomato paste, and beef stock into the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
2️⃣ Add Beef & Cook Low and Slow
Place ox cheek on top of the sauce mixture.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or until beef is fall-apart tender.
3️⃣ Shred & Return
Remove the beef, shred with two forks, then stir back into the slow cooker to soak up the sauce.
4️⃣ Add Noodles
Add udon noodles and coriander.
Cook on HIGH for 25 minutes until noodles are warmed through and sauce thickens slightly.
5️⃣ Season & Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Garnish with black sesame seeds and extra coriander. Enjoy!
Notes
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Richer flavor: Sear the beef in a hot pan before slow cooking.
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Thicker sauce: Add ½–1 tbsp cornstarch slurry during the final 20 minutes.
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Add veggies: Bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms, or bok choy are great mix-ins.
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Spice level: Increase gochujang or add chili flakes for extra heat.
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Swap noodles: Rice noodles or ramen work well too!
Nutrition Information (Approx.)
Per serving (based on 4 servings):
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Calories: ~620
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Protein: 34g
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Carbs: 61g
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Fat: 26g
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Fiber: 4g
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Sodium: varies by soy sauce & stock choice
Final Thoughts: A New Weeknight Favorite
This Slow Cooker Korean Beef Noodles Recipe is everything you want in a home-cooked meal — cozy, easy, and incredibly delicious. With minimal prep and big flavor payoff, it turns simple ingredients into pure satisfaction.
Whether you’re hosting friends, feeding family, or meal-prepping for the week ahead, this dish guarantees:
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melt-in-your-mouth beef
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warming spice
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slurp-worthy noodles
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a comforting bowl you’ll crave again and again ❤️
If you’ve been looking to expand your slow-cooker rotation or try more Korean-inspired recipes, this one deserves a permanent place in your weekly lineup.