Naengmyeon – 냉면: sometimes while ordering a plate of noodles in a foreign country, where you don’t speak the local language, it can happen to face with something unexpected!
Often in South Korea, upon entering a restaurant, you are brought a menu with photographs of the food that is cooked, just to get an idea of what you can taste. It can also be printed on a poster hanging on the wall, in both cases it is enough to call the waiter, point with your finger and wait for the dish to be served to the table.
But don’t be fooled by the images, as in the case of the Naengmyeon – 냉면! This time the noodles are not hot, as normally expected in many other countries of the world, but cold! Even they are eaten immersed in a frozen broth that at the first taste destabilizes those who are not aware of the characteristic and bizarre Korean culinary delight (there is also a variation in Japan!).
The Naengmyeon – 냉면, the fine and long noodles, usually handmade and served cold are cooked all year round, even during the winter…but they certainly do more pleasure on a hot summer day, where temperatures can be really high in South Korea. Commonly served in a stainless steel bowl, the recipe states that cucumbers cut into small and fine strips, slices of pear, hard-boiled egg and boiled (also cold) beef are added to the noodles. The dish is brought to you with mustard and vinegar that can be added as you prefer.
Naengmyeons – 냉면 are normally buckwheat, so the color of noodles is darker and potato starch but can also be made of seaweed or green tea. A dish of traditional Korean cuisine that has been eaten for hundreds of years, dating back to the Joseon dynasty. Originally the food was consumed mainly in North Korea but then became popular after the Korean War even in the south of the now divided country.
The two main versions of Naengmyeon – 냉면, which can be found almost everywhere in South Korea, are the mul naengmyeon – 물 냉면 immersed in frozen meat broth and the bibim naengmyeon – 비빔 냉면 where the cold noodles have on top of everything the red, sweet and spicy sauce made with chillies, usually the broth is also served in this case but separately in a bowl next to it. The liquid in question is often prepared with meat or dongchimi (a version of the kimchi), so if you are a vegetarian, ask for more information before ordering the dish.
Excellent in the summer to refresh but I also ate it during the cold winters. I recommend it because is a new and pleasant taste, particular and interesting, can be served with the sauce made with chillies, so be aware of the degree of hotness before put it in the mouth!
