Spotlight On Korean Food: Naengmyeong
Written by Kyle on Monday, August 31, 2009 in Korea, Republic of
Feelin' normal
"These noodles are too hot!", Momma Bear said.Feelin' normal
"These noodles are too cold!", Poppa Bear said.
"Screw it, let's eat the cold ones!", they all said.
And thus, Naengmyeong (냉면) was born.
Ok, maybe not really, but Naengmyeong is literally Korean for "cold noodles" (Myeong = noodles, naeng = cold). There are many varieties of cold noodles that you can get, but the most common one that we see is usually cold buckwheat noodles in some sort of broth, with an egg and vegetables mixed in. This is usually served with containers of vinegar and mustard to mix into the broth.
I know that you are probably thinking right now. "Cold noodles. Ick! Why would I want that?" For one, it's really nice on a hot day. If you think about being outside in the sticky humidity all day and then coming in to eat steaming noodles, it's not that appealing. Throw some ice it it, and it's a way to fill up and to cool down. Second, don't think of it so much as noodles. Think of it like a salad. Once you mix in the vinegar and the mustard, which act as a kind of salad dressing, it really just tastes like a noodle salad.
If you ever do order this there's just one tip: use the scissors! You might find it odd that with a bowl of cold noodles comes a pair of scissors, but they are useful. Use the scissors to cut the noodles and the vegetables into smaller pieces so that they are easier to eat. Otherwise, you're going to be sucking on noodles for a long time!
Comments on "Spotlight On Korean Food: Naengmyeong"
I guess cold noodles are not tooooo extreme. After all, we have many cold noodle salads that we enjoy in the summer usually held together by mayonnaise or tossed with a vinegary topping. Cold vegetables or cheeses are usually in the American mix so the Korean version, although looking somewhat less appetizing, really isn't that peculiar. It must be fun to experience unusual cuisine...although I'd draw the line at my food moving....as your octopus did in an earlier blog.
This looks like wonderful warm weather food. I think I'll fly over and stay at your place a couple weeks awaiting the Fall color change, hiking the beautiful parks and eating large batches of all the wonderful foods you two have learned to cook! Thanks for sharing.....
by DADDIO ( highly-respected elder! ) at September 02, 2009 12:22 PM