Introduction

Naengmyeon (냉면) means “cold noodles” in Korean. It refers both to the thin, chewy noodles themselves and to the famous chilled noodle dishes made with them.

Naengmyeon has its roots in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, especially the cities of Pyongyang and Hamhung. Today it is one of the most popular summer dishes in all of Korea, served either in an icy broth or tossed in a spicy sauce.

Outside Korea, naengmyeon is easy to find as dried or fresh noodle packs, often sold as kits with broth or spicy sauce packets included.

What is Naengmyeon Made Of?

Naengmyeon noodles are usually made from buckwheat flour mixed with starch (such as sweet potato or potato starch) and often some wheat flour. The starch gives the noodles their famously springy, chewy bite. The more buckwheat, the softer and more nutty the noodles; the more starch, the chewier they become.

• Buckwheat naengmyeon – grayish-brown noodles with a higher buckwheat content, typical of Pyongyang-style mul naengmyeon
• Starch naengmyeon – very thin, extra-chewy noodles made mainly from potato or sweet potato starch, typical of Hamhung style
• Arrowroot (chik) naengmyeon – dark noodles made with kudzu/arrowroot starch
• Naengmyeon kits – packaged noodles sold with a chilled broth packet or a spicy sauce packet

What Does Naengmyeon Taste Like?

The noodles themselves taste mild and slightly nutty from the buckwheat. Their texture is the real highlight: thin, slippery, and so chewy that restaurants often cut them with scissors before serving.

The flavor of the dish depends on how it is served. In broth, it is cool, tangy, and refreshing. With sauce, it is sweet, sour, and spicy all at once.

Popular Korean Dishes That Use Naengmyeon

Mul Naengmyeon (Cold Noodle Soup)

Noodles served in an ice-cold, tangy broth, usually made from beef stock and/or dongchimi (radish water kimchi). It is topped with sliced beef, cucumber, Korean pear, and half a boiled egg.

Bibim Naengmyeon (Spicy Mixed Cold Noodles)

The noodles are tossed in a sweet, tangy, and spicy gochujang-based sauce instead of broth. This is the easiest version to make at home.

Hoe Naengmyeon

A Hamhung-style dish in which spicy mixed noodles are topped with raw fish (often skate) marinated in a spicy vinegar sauce.

Naengmyeon with Korean BBQ

At many Korean BBQ restaurants, a small bowl of cold naengmyeon is ordered at the end of the meal to refresh the palate after grilled meat.

Easy Bibim Naengmyeon Recipe (Serves 2)

A cool, spicy noodle dish that comes together in about 20 minutes. It is perfect for hot days.

Ingredients

• 2 servings naengmyeon noodles (about 300 g)
• 1/2 cucumber, cut into thin matchsticks
• 1 hard-boiled egg, halved
• A few thin slices of Korean pear or apple (optional)
• Ice water for rinsing

Sauce

• 3 tbsp gochujang
• 1 tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
• 2 tbsp vinegar
• 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Make the sauce. Mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Taste and adjust the sugar or vinegar.
2. Loosen the noodles. Gently pull apart the noodle bundles with your hands so they cook evenly.
3. Cook the noodles. Boil the noodles according to the package directions. Naengmyeon cooks very fast, usually in under a minute or two.
4. Rinse well. Drain and rinse the noodles under cold running water, rubbing them to remove excess starch. Finish in ice water, then drain thoroughly.
5. Assemble. Divide the noodles between two bowls. Spoon the sauce on top and add the cucumber, pear, and egg.
6. Serve. Mix everything together at the table and enjoy right away.

Tip: Naengmyeon noodles are very long and chewy. Cut them once or twice with kitchen scissors before eating to make them easier to mix and eat.

Where to Buy Naengmyeon

Naengmyeon noodles are sold dried, fresh, or frozen at Korean and Asian grocery stores, often as kits with broth or sauce. Look for “naengmyeon,” “Korean cold noodles,” or “buckwheat noodles.”

United States

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Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=korean+naengmyeon+noodles

H-Mart
https://www.hmart.com/search?type=product&q=naengmyeon

Canada

Amazon Canada
https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=korean+naengmyeon+noodles

Europe

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=korean+naengmyeon+noodles

How to Store Naengmyeon

Dried naengmyeon noodles keep in a cool, dry pantry until the date on the package. Fresh noodle kits should be kept in the refrigerator, and frozen ones in the freezer, following the label.

Cooked naengmyeon is best eaten right away, because the noodles lose their chewy texture as they sit.

Conclusion

Naengmyeon is Korea’s classic cold noodle: thin, chewy, and wonderfully refreshing. Whether you serve it in icy broth or tossed in spicy sauce, a pack of naengmyeon noodles is an easy way to bring a favorite Korean summer dish into your kitchen.