Naengmyeon (cold noodles)
냉면 Naengmyeon
Chewy buckwheat or starch noodles in an icy, tangy broth, with a spicy mixed version on most menus.
- Cold Noodles
- Spice: Not spicy
- Contains beef
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Buckwheat or starch noodles, chilled beef broth |
| How it's served | A large bowl of noodles in icy broth, with vinegar and mustard on the table |
| Spice level | Not spicy — No chili heat. |
| Diet | Contains beef — Beef or beef stock is a standard ingredient. |
| Allergens | Buckwheat · Wheat · Egg |
| Ask about | Mustard and vinegar come on the table; the mixed version (bibim) has a chili paste sauce with soy and wheat. |
| On the menu | 냉면 (Naengmyeon) |
| Also called | naengmyun · naeng myeon · mul naengmyeon |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Cold Noodles
Cut the noodles if needed
Most naengmyeon noodles are long and chewy. Staff often cut them with scissors, or you can ask for scissors.
Season the broth
Add a little vinegar and mustard from the table. Taste before adding more.
Drink the broth as you go
Lift the bowl and sip the icy broth between bites.
How to order it
Order it as 냉면, or 물냉면 for the cold-broth version on this page. 비빔냉면 is the spicy mixed version, and either one is a single bowl one person can order alone.
- On the menu: 냉면
- Usually sold: 1 serving
Where it comes from
Joseon Dynasty records mention it, so it is thought to have been eaten since then. It developed in Korea's north, where much buckwheat was grown. From the Korean War on, people who came south from the North spread it nationwide. A Joseon book of seasonal customs lists it as a winter dish. Today it is eaten mostly in summer.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (encykorea.aks.ac.kr)
Questions about Cold Noodles
Is naengmyeon vegetarian?
Usually not. The broth is usually made with beef, and slices of beef often go on top.
How spicy is naengmyeon?
Not spicy. The cold-broth version (mulnaengmyeon) has no chili heat, but bibimnaengmyeon, mixed with chili-paste sauce, is clearly spicy.
What is the difference between mulnaengmyeon and bibimnaengmyeon?
Mulnaengmyeon is served in an icy, tangy broth. Bibimnaengmyeon has little or no broth and is mixed with a sweet, spicy sauce.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 10, 2026