Description
Naengmyeon is a classic Korean cold noodle dish featuring chewy buckwheat noodles served in a chilled, tangy broth with sliced beef, pickled radish, cucumber, and a boiled egg. Refreshing, savory, and slightly sweet, it’s perfect for hot days and is a staple in Korean cuisine—especially enjoyed during the summer months.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Broth:
- 3 cups beef broth (preferably homemade or low-sodium)
- 1 cup dongchimi (Korean radish water kimchi) broth or cold water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
For the Toppings:
- 4 ounces cooked beef brisket or flank steak, thinly sliced
- ½ Korean pear (or crisp apple), peeled and thinly sliced
- ½ cucumber, julienned
- 2 boiled eggs, halved
- Pickled radish or kimchi (optional)
- Toasted sesame seeds
For the Noodles:
- 9–10 ounces naengmyeon noodles (buckwheat or sweet potato starch-based, found in Korean markets)
Instructions
- Prepare the Broth: In a bowl or container, combine the beef broth, dongchimi broth (or cold water), rice vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce. Stir well until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Chill the Broth: Place the broth mixture in the freezer for 1–2 hours to get very cold but not frozen, or refrigerate it overnight. This chilling step is essential for serving naengmyeon authentically cold and refreshing.
- Cook the Noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the naengmyeon noodles according to package directions, usually around 3-5 minutes. Once cooked, immediately rinse the noodles under cold running water to stop cooking and remove excess starch. Drain thoroughly.
- Prepare the Toppings: While the broth chills, thinly slice the cooked beef brisket or flank steak, julienne the cucumber, and slice the pear. Boil eggs ahead of time, peel, and cut in halves.
- Assemble the Dish: Divide the drained noodles evenly into two serving bowls. Pour the icy cold broth over the noodles. Arrange the sliced beef, cucumber, pear, boiled egg halves, and optional pickled radish or kimchi on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over each bowl for added flavor and a slight crunch. Serve the naengmyeon immediately to enjoy its refreshing cold texture and vibrant flavors. Optionally serve with mustard or vinegar on the side for added zest.
Notes
- You can use pre-packaged naengmyeon broth from Korean grocery stores for convenience.
- Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the broth to your preference by adding extra sugar or rice vinegar.
- For a spicier twist, incorporate a spoonful of gochujang (Korean chili paste) into the broth or serve it alongside.
- Cut noodles with kitchen scissors if they are too long for easier eating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Korean
