Bean sprouts (mung bean sprouts)

숙주 sukju / 绿豆芽 lǜdòuyá / ถั่วงอก

Flavor and role

Sprouted mung beans, crunchy and refreshing. Long cooking makes them limp, so blanch briefly or add at the end.

Typical dishes and uses

Pad thai, served with Vietnamese pho, sukju namul (seasoned bean sprouts), jjamppong.

Substitutes

Soybean sprouts 1:1 (larger heads, nuttier, need longer cooking).

Storage

Keep submerged in cold water in the fridge and change the water daily; keeps 2-3 days. They spoil fast, so use promptly.

Main countries

Korea · China · Thailand

Used in this book

Pad ThaiPho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese Crispy Sizzling Crêpes)BibimbapBindaetteok (Mung Bean Pancakes)Char kway teowChow Mein (Chinese Chicken Fried Noodles)Gado-GadoCurry LaksaSoto AyamCrispy Mekong-Style Bánh Xèo with Mung Beans and Coconut CreamKimchi Bánh Xèo with Pork Belly and Gochujang Dipping SauceCrispy Bánh Xèo Shrimp Salad BowlMarket-Style Thick Bindaetteok in Pork FatPenang hawker-style char kway teow with crispy lardKimchi bacon char kway teowCrispy char kway teow noodle cakeKimchi Pork Belly Chow Mein (Korean x Chinese)Japanese-Style Tantanmen (Sesame-Miso Soy Milk Ramen)Gado-Gado with Pressed Rice Cakes and Shrimp-Paste Peanut SauceGado-Gado Rice Paper RollsMala Gamjatang (Sichuan-Spiced Pork Rib and Potato Stew)Prawn-Head Stock Curry LaksaLaksa Butter Fried RicePad Thai Goong with Shrimp-Head OilGochujang Bulgogi Pad ThaiCrispy Pad Thai Rice Paper RollsPhở Đặc Biệt with 4-Hour Oxtail BrothPhở-Spiced Beef Fried RiceSoto Ayam Lamongan with KoyaSoto Ayam RamenThit Kho To (Clay-Pot Caramel Pork Belly with Pickled Bean Sprouts)Thit Kho Ramen (Caramel Pork Belly and Jammy Eggs)Tom Kha Coconut Miso RamenCrispy-Noodle Yakisoba with Homemade Sauce

Updated 2026-10-10