Naengmyeon (cold noodles)
Noodle dishes
Long, thin, chewy noodles served ice-cold — either in a tangy beef or radish-kimchi broth, or mixed with a spicy red sauce — seasoned at the table with mustard and vinegar.
Why this list cannot be complete
Many Korean restaurants are franchises whose recipes are not published, and shops create their own versions of the same dish. A menu name often does not tell you what is inside. This page covers the traditional recipe and the variations that have spread widely, not every shop.
When you are not sure what a shop puts in, show your card to say what you cannot eat, or show the list below and ask the staff to point to what is in theirs.
What usually goes in
이 음식에 아래 재료 중 들어가는 것이 있나요?
For the staff: does this dish contain any of the ingredients below?
Buckwheat is the most common noodle flour, and Pyongyang-style noodles are made mainly from it. Hamhung-style noodles use potato or sweet potato starch instead, so ask which style the shop serves.
Wheat flour is also listed among noodle ingredients, so buckwheat noodles can be blended with it rather than made from buckwheat alone.
The cold broth is commonly beef stock, and store-bought naengmyeon broth is also usually flavored with beef. The spicy mixed version often comes with that broth on the side or has it mixed into the sauce.
Whether the noodles come in cold broth or spicy sauce, half a boiled egg on top is the usual garnish.
Mustard sauce and vinegar are the standard seasonings, and diners usually add them at the table — leave the mustard out if it is a concern.
The mixed version, bibim-naengmyeon, is dressed with a sauce made mainly from gochujang, which is fermented from soybean powder.
Chicken stock is one of the listed broths, and Pyongyang style can use pheasant broth instead of beef.
Hoe-naengmyeon, a Hamhung variety, tops the spicy noodles with marinated raw fish, usually skate.
Garlic is simmered into the beef broth for mul naengmyeon and minced into the spicy sauce for bibim naengmyeon; either way it is already in the liquid or paste.
Some cooks simmer onion in the broth or blend it with apple into the bibim sauce; it is strained out or ground smooth and not seen.
The young radish kimchi on yeolmu naengmyeon is often seasoned with anchovy sauce.
The young radish kimchi on yeolmu naengmyeon can also be seasoned with salted shrimp.
Pork cutlet naengmyeon is served with a fried pork cutlet.
Cold broth naengmyeon may be topped with pear slices, and grated pear may go into the spicy mixed-noodle sauce.
- Usually in it
- Most kitchens put this in. Assume it is there unless the staff tell you otherwise.
- Sometimes in it
- It depends on the recipe and the brand of sauce, so it is worth asking.
- Rarely in it
- The usual recipe does not call for it, but some kitchens still use it.
Checked 14 of the 33 ingredients this site covers. An ingredient that is not listed here has simply not been checked yet — that is not the same as it not being in the dish.
This page describes how the dish is usually made in Korea. Every kitchen works differently, so always show your card and ask the staff before you order.
Going on your card
- Buckwheat (메밀)
- Wheat (밀)
- Beef (쇠고기)
- Eggs (알류)
- Mustard (겨자)
- Soybean (대두)
- Chicken (닭고기)
- Fish (생선)
- Garlic (마늘)
- Onion (양파)
- Jeotgal and fish sauce (젓갈 · 액젓)
- Shrimp (새우)
- Pork (돼지고기)
- Asian pear (배)
Common variations
If you see one of these names on a menu, expect the ingredients below on top of the basic dish. Shops differ, so check with the staff.
- 열무냉면Young radish kimchi naengmyeon
Adds: Jeotgal and fish sauce (젓갈 · 액젓), Shrimp (새우)
Topped with young radish kimchi and its brine, which is often seasoned with anchovy sauce and salted shrimp.
- 코다리냉면Kodari naengmyeon
Adds: Fish (생선)
Half-dried pollock (kodari) is dressed in a spicy sauce and placed on bibim naengmyeon.
- 돈가스 냉면(돈냉면)Pork cutlet naengmyeon
Adds: Pork (돼지고기), Wheat (밀), Eggs (알류)
A pork cutlet breaded with flour, egg and breadcrumbs is served with the noodles.
- 육전냉면(진주냉면)Yukjeon naengmyeon
Adds: Beef (쇠고기), Eggs (알류), Wheat (밀)
Beef slices coated in flour and egg are pan-fried and laid on top of the noodles.
Diets
- VeganNot suitable
It is topped with either a boiled egg or slices of boiled beef.
- Lacto-ovo vegetarianAsk first
The broth is usually beef, chicken or radish kimchi water — ask which one, and ask for egg instead of beef on top.
- HalalAsk first
The broth and topping are often beef, so ask where the meat comes from.
Other dishes with the same ingredients
- BibimbapEggs (poultry) · Soybean · Garlic — Usually in it / Wheat · Beef · Onion · Fish · Asian pear — Sometimes in it
- BulgogiBeef · Soybean · Garlic — Usually in it / Onion · Pork · Wheat · Asian pear — Sometimes in it
- Galbi (grilled short ribs)Beef · Soybean · Garlic — Usually in it / Pork · Onion · Wheat · Asian pear — Sometimes in it
Read more
- Beef in Korean foodWhere this ingredient hides across Korean food
- Eggs in Korean foodWhere this ingredient hides across Korean food
- Gluten-free travel in KoreaWhere wheat hides in sauces and broths
- Vegan dining in KoreaWhere meat and seafood hide in Korean cooking
- Emergency allergy help in KoreaWhat to do and say if a reaction starts
- Halal food in KoreaWhere pork, alcohol, and non-halal meat hide in Korean cooking
- Temple food and Buddhist vegetarian dining in KoreaWhere garlic, green onion, and other pungent vegetables hide
Sources we checked
Each finding on this page lists the recipes and references it is based on. Source titles appear in their original language and are not translated, and each link opens the other site in a new tab.
Show the 23 sources behind each finding
What usually goes in
Buckwheat · Usually in it
- Wikipedia, "Naengmyeon" — noodles most commonly buckwheat, also potato, sweet potato, arrowroot starch; beef, chicken or dongchimi broth; bibim with gochujang dressing; cucumber, pear, pickled radish, boiled egg or boiled beef; mustard and vinegar; Pyongyang buckwheat with beef or pheasant broth; Hamhung starch noodles; hoe-naengmyeon with raw skate (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "냉면" — 메밀 · 전분 · 밀가루 · 감자 · 고구마로 만든 면; 쇠고기 육수 또는 동치미 국물; 삶은 달걀 · 편육 · 배 · 오이 · 무; 겨자와 식초로 간; 평양 · 함흥 · 진주냉면 (opens in a new tab)
Wheat · Sometimes in it
Beef · Usually in it
- Wikipedia, "Naengmyeon" — noodles most commonly buckwheat, also potato, sweet potato, arrowroot starch; beef, chicken or dongchimi broth; bibim with gochujang dressing; cucumber, pear, pickled radish, boiled egg or boiled beef; mustard and vinegar; Pyongyang buckwheat with beef or pheasant broth; Hamhung starch noodles; hoe-naengmyeon with raw skate (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "냉면" — 메밀 · 전분 · 밀가루 · 감자 · 고구마로 만든 면; 쇠고기 육수 또는 동치미 국물; 삶은 달걀 · 편육 · 배 · 오이 · 무; 겨자와 식초로 간; 평양 · 함흥 · 진주냉면 (opens in a new tab)
- 만개의레시피, 「여기가 냉면맛집, 감칠맛나는 물냉면 만들기」 — 육수 다시팩에 마늘 · 양파 (opens in a new tab)
- 나무위키, 「냉면」 — 돈가스와 냉면을 함께 담는 돈냉면 · 육전 진주식 물냉면, 육수는 양지로 내고 남은 고기가 편육, 전문점은 육수를 따로 냄 (opens in a new tab)
- 만개의레시피, 「냉면육수만드는법」 — 소고기 양지로 육수 (opens in a new tab)
- 컬리, 「면사랑 사골맛 냉면육수」 — 알레르기 정보 쇠고기 함유 (opens in a new tab)
- Home Cuisine, 「비빔냉면, 냉면양념장」 — 계란 고명, 양지 편육, 냉면육수 (opens in a new tab)
- 만개의레시피, 「비빔냉면 양념장 레시피」 — 양념장에 냉면육수 (opens in a new tab)
Eggs · Usually in it
- Wikipedia, "Naengmyeon" — noodles most commonly buckwheat, also potato, sweet potato, arrowroot starch; beef, chicken or dongchimi broth; bibim with gochujang dressing; cucumber, pear, pickled radish, boiled egg or boiled beef; mustard and vinegar; Pyongyang buckwheat with beef or pheasant broth; Hamhung starch noodles; hoe-naengmyeon with raw skate (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "냉면" — 메밀 · 전분 · 밀가루 · 감자 · 고구마로 만든 면; 쇠고기 육수 또는 동치미 국물; 삶은 달걀 · 편육 · 배 · 오이 · 무; 겨자와 식초로 간; 평양 · 함흥 · 진주냉면 (opens in a new tab)
- 만개의레시피, 「여기가 냉면맛집, 감칠맛나는 물냉면 만들기」 — 육수 다시팩에 마늘 · 양파 (opens in a new tab)
- 만개의레시피, 「매콤하고 깊은 맛 비빔 냉면. 비빔 냉면 양념장 만드는법.」 — 냉면 양념에 다진마늘, 양파를 사과 · 깻잎과 갈아 넣음 (opens in a new tab)
- 만개의레시피, 「물냉면 만드는법」 — 삶은 계란 (opens in a new tab)
- Home Cuisine, 「비빔냉면, 냉면양념장」 — 계란 고명, 양지 편육, 냉면육수 (opens in a new tab)
Mustard · Sometimes in it
- Wikipedia, "Naengmyeon" — noodles most commonly buckwheat, also potato, sweet potato, arrowroot starch; beef, chicken or dongchimi broth; bibim with gochujang dressing; cucumber, pear, pickled radish, boiled egg or boiled beef; mustard and vinegar; Pyongyang buckwheat with beef or pheasant broth; Hamhung starch noodles; hoe-naengmyeon with raw skate (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "냉면" — 메밀 · 전분 · 밀가루 · 감자 · 고구마로 만든 면; 쇠고기 육수 또는 동치미 국물; 삶은 달걀 · 편육 · 배 · 오이 · 무; 겨자와 식초로 간; 평양 · 함흥 · 진주냉면 (opens in a new tab)
Soybean · Sometimes in it
- Wikipedia, "Naengmyeon" — noodles most commonly buckwheat, also potato, sweet potato, arrowroot starch; beef, chicken or dongchimi broth; bibim with gochujang dressing; cucumber, pear, pickled radish, boiled egg or boiled beef; mustard and vinegar; Pyongyang buckwheat with beef or pheasant broth; Hamhung starch noodles; hoe-naengmyeon with raw skate (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia, "Gochujang" — made with fermented soybean (meju) powder and barley malt powder; some recipes use rice or barley (opens in a new tab)
Chicken · Sometimes in it
Fish · Sometimes in it
Garlic · Usually in it
Onion · Sometimes in it
Jeotgal and fish sauce · Sometimes in it
Shrimp · Sometimes in it
Pork · Sometimes in it
Asian pear · Sometimes in it
- Wikipedia, "Naengmyeon" — noodles most commonly buckwheat, also potato, sweet potato, arrowroot starch; beef, chicken or dongchimi broth; bibim with gochujang dressing; cucumber, pear, pickled radish, boiled egg or boiled beef; mustard and vinegar; Pyongyang buckwheat with beef or pheasant broth; Hamhung starch noodles; hoe-naengmyeon with raw skate (opens in a new tab)
- 만개의레시피, 「둥지 물냉면」 — 배 (opens in a new tab)
- 만개의레시피, 「비빔냉면」 — 배 (opens in a new tab)
Common variations
열무냉면 · Young radish kimchi naengmyeon
코다리냉면 · Kodari naengmyeon
돈가스 냉면(돈냉면) · Pork cutlet naengmyeon
육전냉면(진주냉면) · Yukjeon naengmyeon
Diets
Vegan · Not suitable
- Wikipedia, "Naengmyeon" — noodles most commonly buckwheat, also potato, sweet potato, arrowroot starch; beef, chicken or dongchimi broth; bibim with gochujang dressing; cucumber, pear, pickled radish, boiled egg or boiled beef; mustard and vinegar; Pyongyang buckwheat with beef or pheasant broth; Hamhung starch noodles; hoe-naengmyeon with raw skate (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "냉면" — 메밀 · 전분 · 밀가루 · 감자 · 고구마로 만든 면; 쇠고기 육수 또는 동치미 국물; 삶은 달걀 · 편육 · 배 · 오이 · 무; 겨자와 식초로 간; 평양 · 함흥 · 진주냉면 (opens in a new tab)
Lacto-ovo vegetarian · Ask first
- Wikipedia, "Naengmyeon" — noodles most commonly buckwheat, also potato, sweet potato, arrowroot starch; beef, chicken or dongchimi broth; bibim with gochujang dressing; cucumber, pear, pickled radish, boiled egg or boiled beef; mustard and vinegar; Pyongyang buckwheat with beef or pheasant broth; Hamhung starch noodles; hoe-naengmyeon with raw skate (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "냉면" — 메밀 · 전분 · 밀가루 · 감자 · 고구마로 만든 면; 쇠고기 육수 또는 동치미 국물; 삶은 달걀 · 편육 · 배 · 오이 · 무; 겨자와 식초로 간; 평양 · 함흥 · 진주냉면 (opens in a new tab)
Halal · Ask first
- Wikipedia, "Naengmyeon" — noodles most commonly buckwheat, also potato, sweet potato, arrowroot starch; beef, chicken or dongchimi broth; bibim with gochujang dressing; cucumber, pear, pickled radish, boiled egg or boiled beef; mustard and vinegar; Pyongyang buckwheat with beef or pheasant broth; Hamhung starch noodles; hoe-naengmyeon with raw skate (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "냉면" — 메밀 · 전분 · 밀가루 · 감자 · 고구마로 만든 면; 쇠고기 육수 또는 동치미 국물; 삶은 달걀 · 편육 · 배 · 오이 · 무; 겨자와 식초로 간; 평양 · 함흥 · 진주냉면 (opens in a new tab)
Each dish is researched by hand from the sources we checked, and nothing here is generated automatically. Recipes vary from kitchen to kitchen, so always confirm with the staff before you order.