Raengmyeon(랭면), or naengmyeon(냉면) is a cold noodle dish from the Pyongan region of Korea. In this part of Korea, noodles are usually served in cold broth, which can be made from water kimchi. Cold noodles in broth may also be called mul-naengmyeon(물냉면)[水涼麵].

Cold noodles are found throughout Korea, and they are very common in Pyongan cuisine. Northerners tend to call them raengmyeon(랭면), while southerners call them naengmyeon(냉면), both meaning cold noodles[涼麵]. Cold noodles are traditionally eaten in winter, so they naturally pair well with winter kimchi like dongchimi(동치미).

Buckwheat noodles(메밀면) are traditionally used in northern areas where buckwheat(메밀) is comparatively easy to grow. Dongchimi or other water kimchi(물김치) can be used for broth. Beef broth is common, as well as fish and kelp stock. Raengmyeon typically has toppings such as cooked meat, radish, cucumber, asian pear, and hardboiled egg. Mustard sauce and vinegar or other sauce may also garnish the noodles.

This recipe below is based on a very simple dongchimi broth(동치미육수) and can be considered dongchimi naengmyeon(동치미냉면). If you want to make it from scratch, you can first make your own dongchimi from my recipe here. For the broth, please taste and adjust since the strength and saltiness of your dongchimi may vary. Instead of dongchimi, you can also try using baek kimchi or another kimchi, or you can just use cold kelp stock or beef broth. Feel free to try other toppings.

Recipe

4 servings

Ingredients

• 4 serving buckwheat noodles(메밀면) (about 12 oz dry buckwheat noodles)
• 2 cup dongchimi water(동치미국물) or baek kimchi water(백김치국물) (dilute with plain water or kelp stock if too strong or salty) [substitute cold kelp stock or other stock]
• 1 dongchimi radish(동치미무), sliced; radish chojeorim(무초저림); or other kimchi
• ½ asian pear(배), peeled and sliced [substitute apple or pear]
• 1 cucumber(오이), cut into matchsticks

Directions

• boil noodles 2-5 minutes
• drain
• chill with cold water
• drain
• place noodles in bowls with dongchimi water, radish, pear, cucumber
• serve