Buzz
It's no secret that Koreans have a deep affection for noodle dishes. When you visit South Korea, you'll find an abundance of noodle options on the menus of most restaurants and eateries.
Below is a compilation of delightful noodle dishes from the land of kimchi. If you ever have the opportunity to explore South Korea, make sure you don't miss out!
Naengmyeon – Cold Noodles
This is a popular dish throughout South Korea, especially during the summer season. The noodles, typically made from buckwheat or sweet potato starch, are served cold.
According to tradition, the noodles are served in a metal bowl with chilled broth, accompanied by various garnishes such as vegetables, boiled eggs, and beef. To enhance the flavor, spicy mustard and vinegar are often added.
Kimchi Bibim Guksu – Spicy Kimchi Noodle Salad
If you're not a fan of broth-based noodles, you can opt for Kimchi Bibim Guksu – a dish of mixed noodles with spicy kimchi. Noodles are mixed with pickled cucumbers, finely chopped vegetables, and spicy kimchi. On a scorching hot summer afternoon, Kimchi Bibim Guksu is a perfect choice, as it takes just a few minutes to whip up a plate of spicy, flavorful noodles.
Kimchimari Guksu – Chilled Kimchi Noodles
This is a traditional dish in the northern provinces of Hwanghaedo and Pyongando. Noodles are served cold in chilled broth, along with spicy kimchi, seaweed, and pickled cucumbers. Some places also add sesame oil and sesame seeds. With its refreshing spiciness, this dish is ideal as a light meal or as a remedy after indulging in a carb-heavy barbecue feast.
Kalguksu – Hand-Cut Noodles
Another popular and flavorful noodle dish is Kalguksu, a traditional chicken broth-based noodle dish. Kalguksu noodles are made from wheat flour, eggs, and soybean flour, and instead of being extruded or pulled like regular noodles, they are hand-cut with a knife. There are many variations of Kalguksu, depending on the accompanying ingredients, but the most common is kalguksu with kimchi, radish, and pickled cucumbers mixed in.
Japchae – Stir-Fried Glass Noodles
The main ingredients of this dish are glass noodles and assorted seasonal vegetables, typically including carrots, onions, spinach, and mushrooms. Soy sauce and sesame oil are used to create the distinctive flavor of the dish.
Jajangmyeon – Black Bean Noodles
This is the most famous noodle dish in the land of kimchi, consisting primarily of noodles mixed with black bean sauce. Single Koreans often enjoy this dish on Black Day, April 14th. In addition to noodles and sauce, other components of the dish include meat, finely chopped vegetables, and seafood.
Jjamppong – Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup
One of the standout spicy dishes in Korea, featuring noodles immersed in tongue-tingling spicy seafood soup, Jjamppong can be seen as a daring challenge for spice enthusiasts.
Jjolmyeon
Jjolmyeon is a type of noodle dish with thicker and chewier noodles than regular noodles, spicy chili paste sauce, shredded vegetables, and a boiled egg. The seasoning of this popular dish includes vinegar, sugar, and minced garlic. It's a common light dish among young Koreans.
Milmyeon – Wheat Noodles
Originating from Busan, this noodle dish is prepared in two styles: mixed noodles and noodles in broth. It is said that during the Korean War, due to a shortage of wheat, people used wheat noodles as a substitute to cope with the war.
Kongguksu – Soy Milk Noodles
This is one of the excellent vegetarian dishes. The rich broth of the noodles is made from soybeans, and occasionally sesame seeds are sprinkled on top to enhance the flavor of the dish.
By KEM
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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourNovember 24, 2015
