Beat the Korean heat with these cold noodle dishes
Cold soup noodles are a go-to meal during summer for their cooling and refreshing qualities.
Jaengban-guksu and jokbal. Image: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.
In this article, traveller and food reviewer Thuy Bui explores five different cold noodle dishes that helped her beat the Korean summer heat.
The OG Cold Noodles – Naengmyeon (냉면)
Originating from North Korea, this dish has become a nationwide favorite not only to be eaten in summer but also to be enjoyed as a refreshing “dessert” after a hearty BBQ.
It comes in two main styles:
Mul Naengmyeon (물냉면): Cold buckwheat noodles in a chilled broth, often beef-based, topped with cucumbers, slices of beef, and a boiled egg.
Bibim Naengmyeon (비빔냉면): Cold noodles mixed with a spicy sauce made from gochujang (Korean chili paste), vinegar, and sesame oil, served with vegetables.
Location:
모아냉면
경기 파주시 문산읍 방촌로 1622
Moa Naengmyeon
1622, Bangchon-ro, Munsan-eup, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do
Instagram: moa_naengmyeon
Mul naengmyeon (left) and bibim naengmyeon (right). Images: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.
Spicy Raw Fish Soup – Mulhoe (물회)
Known for its refreshing and spicy flavors, mulhoe features thinly sliced raw fish served in a tangy and hot broth made from chili paste, vinegar, and sesame oil. The soup is chilled and garnished with fresh vegetables like cucumber, onion, and perilla leaves, offering a delightful contrast of textures and tastes.
While visiting Sokcho, known for its seaside location, I chose to indulge in the assorted raw seafood soup – a local specialty.
Location:
청초수물회 상세보기
강원특별자치도 속초시 엑스포로 12-36
Chungchosoo Mulhoe & Seopguk
Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Sokcho-si Expo-ro 12-36
Website: http://www.chungchosoofish.com/
Instagram: chungchosoo_official
Mulhoe in Sokcho. Images: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.
Raw Beef Cold Noodles– Yukhoe Naengmyeon (육회냉면)
A unique dish that combines two beloved elements of Korean cuisine: yukhoe (raw beef tartare) and naengmyeon (cold noodles). This is a Gyeongju speciality.
Location:
우마왕 한우샌드 돌담점 상세보기
경북 경주시 첨성로99번길 30-7
Wu Mawang Korean Beef Sandwich Doldam Branch
30-7, Cheomseong-ro 99beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-si
Website: http://woomawang.imweb.me/
Instagram: wmw_kbsnack
Yukhoe naengmyeon in a cup. Image: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.
Cold Spicy Platter Noodles – Jaengban-guksu (쟁반국수)
A refreshing noodle dish served on a large platter ("jaengban"), making it ideal for sharing with family or friends. It’s commonly eaten with jokbal.
The dish is a combination of chewy wheat noodles (often made from wheat flour or buckwheat) that are cooked al dente and chilled. It’s typically topped with an assortment of fresh and colorful ingredients such as julienne cucumbers, carrots, Korean pear slices, radish, lettuce, and sometimes, boiled egg slices. It’s then seasoned with a tangy and slightly sweet vinegar-based sauce, often enhanced with sesame oil and a touch of chili flakes or mustard for a subtle kick.
When receiving this platter, the waiter will hand you plastic gloves to hand mix everything together, and scissors to cut the long chewy noodles.
Location:
최신족발 건대직영점
서울 광진구 아차산로29길 63 1층
Choesin Pigs’ Feet
Seoul Gwangjin-gu Achasan-ro 29-gil 63 1F
Website: http://b817.callbaro.com
Instagram: choisinjokbal
Jaengban-guksu and jokbal. Image: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.
Cold Salmon Noodles - Yeoneo Naeng Kalguksu (연어 냉 칼국수)
In Korea, it's evident how much love there is for Japanese cuisine. That's why I couldn't resist including a Japanese restaurant on the list. Cold salmon noodles are another summertime favourite in Korea, blending Korean and Japanese flavors in a way that I found particularly enjoyable.
Location:
초이다이닝
서울 마포구 동교로36길 3 지하1층
Choi Dining
3, Donggyo-ro 36-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Website: https://choidining.com/
Instagram: choi_dining
Yeoneo naeng kalguksu. Images: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.
Which dishes will you be trying on your Summer getaway to Korea? Let us know in the comments below!
Edited by Nicole Tilby.