Cold noodles

Cold Noodles

A serving of Sichuan cold noodles

Cold noodles are a variety of noodle dishes that are served cold, often with a variety of toppings and sauces. These dishes are popular in many cultures around the world, particularly in East Asian cuisines. Cold noodles are typically enjoyed during the warmer months as a refreshing and light meal.

Types of Cold Noodles

Korean Cold Noodles

Pyongyang naengmyeon served in Taipei

In Korean cuisine, cold noodles are known as naengmyeon (냉면). This dish is traditionally made with long, thin noodles made from buckwheat or sweet potato starch. Naengmyeon is often served in a chilled broth, which can be made from beef, chicken, or dongchimi (a type of kimchi). The dish is typically garnished with slices of cucumber, Korean pear, boiled egg, and sometimes cold beef.

Another popular Korean cold noodle dish is bibim-guksu (비빔국수), which is a spicy mixed noodle dish. It is made with thin wheat flour noodles and mixed with a spicy gochujang-based sauce, along with vegetables such as cucumbers and carrots.

A bowl of bibim-guksu

Japanese Cold Noodles

A serving of mori soba

In Japanese cuisine, cold noodles are often served as soba or somen. Soba are thin noodles made from buckwheat flour, and they are typically served chilled with a dipping sauce called tsuyu. Mori soba is a common way to serve cold soba, where the noodles are presented on a bamboo tray and accompanied by a small bowl of dipping sauce.

Somen are very thin wheat noodles that are also served cold, often with a light dipping sauce. A unique way to enjoy somen is nagashi-somen, where the noodles are sent down a bamboo flume with flowing water, and diners catch the noodles with chopsticks as they pass by.

Nagashi-somen in Kanazawa, Japan

Chinese Cold Noodles

In Chinese cuisine, cold noodles are popular in various regions, each with its own unique style. In Sichuan, liang mian (凉面) is a well-known cold noodle dish that features a spicy and numbing sauce made from Sichuan peppercorns, chili oil, and sesame paste. The noodles are often garnished with sliced cucumbers, bean sprouts, and peanuts.

Related Pages

• Noodles
• Soba
• Naengmyeon
• Sichuan cuisine