Rinse the soybean sprouts under cold water and remove any discolored or wilted sprouts.
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the bean sprouts and cook for about 3-5 minutes until they're just tender but still crunchy.
Drain the bean sprouts and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain well and transfer them to a mixing bowl.
Add minced garlic, sliced green onions, sesame oil, soy sauce, toasted sesame seeds, sugar (if using), gochugaru, and a pinch of salt to the bean sprouts.
Gently toss everything together until the bean sprouts are evenly coated with the seasoning.
Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your preference, adding more soy sauce, sesame oil, or gochugaru as needed.
Serve the Korean bean sprout salad immediately or refrigerate it for later. Enjoy as a side dish or as part of a Korean-inspired meal!