Korean Naengmyeon Cold Noodle Soup (Print Version)

Chewy buckwheat noodles in refreshing tangy broth with crisp vegetables and savory toppings

# Recipe Ingredients:

→ Broth

01 - 4 cups beef broth (preferably homemade or low-sodium)
02 - 2 cups cold water
03 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 1 tablespoon sugar
05 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
06 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
09 - 4-6 ice cubes (for serving)

→ Noodles

10 - 14 ounces naengmyeon noodles (Korean buckwheat noodles or substitute with soba if unavailable)

→ Garnishes & Toppings

11 - 1 Asian pear, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
12 - 2 hard-boiled eggs, halved
13 - 4 ounces cooked beef brisket, thinly sliced
14 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
15 - 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste), optional
16 - Korean yellow pickled radish (danmuji), sliced, optional

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, combine beef broth, cold water, rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and salt. Stir well until sugar and salt dissolve. Refrigerate until ready to serve—the colder, the better.
02 - Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook eggs for 10 minutes, then cool and peel. Slice cooked beef, cucumber, Asian pear, and optional pickled radish.
03 - Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add naengmyeon noodles and cook according to package instructions (about 3-4 minutes). Drain and rinse thoroughly under cold running water to chill and remove excess starch.
04 - Divide the cold noodles evenly among four serving bowls. Pour the chilled broth over the noodles. Top with cucumber, pear slices, beef, and half an egg. Add ice cubes to keep the soup extra cold.
05 - Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and a dollop of gochujang if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The broth hits that perfect sweet and sour spot that wakes up your entire palate
  • Cold noodles sound strange until you take that first shocking refreshing bite
  • Its one of those meals that leaves you feeling full but somehow lighter
02 -
  • Rinsing the noodles under cold water is absolutely crucial for the right texture
  • The broth needs to be freezing cold or the entire dish falls apart
  • Ice cubes in the soup might seem strange but theyre completely necessary
03 -
  • For gluten-free versions, use tamari and confirm noodles are pure buckwheat
  • The crunch of Asian pear is what makes each bite so special

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