Subscribe to FeedThe sweltering hot weather in Malaysia right now is just clamouring for cold noodles! This bibim naengmyeon recipe I found in my latest favourite cook book totally fits the bill combining refreshing fruity flavours from the pear and an appetising heat from the spicy and slightly sweet dressing. I started my love affair with Korean cuisine while still living in Southern California and as there is a large Korean American population relatively close to where I lived, I was spoilt for choice with delicious fare at many Korean restaurants and ingredients were also readily available with many Korean grocery stores in the vicinity. Well, after I moved back to Malaysia, I guess I was am still not used to the fact that I had to literally hunt down Korean grocery stores and I have to say that I miss the large ones in the US, let's just say it took me a few trips to get gochugaru from a local Korean 'grocery store' - I was quite miffed when the attendant matter-of-factly informed me that the chilli powder has been out of stock "for a while", I mean this is such a basic ingredient in Korean cooking or am I just being a picky, irate (no longer) customer?
Alright, rant complete - I can't sing enough praises of glorious cold noodles from all factions, I mean I love zaru soba, hiyashi chuka, and now there's another one to add to my list. Bibim Naengmyeon is probably the easiest one to make yet, not much time at the stove is involved - you just need to boil the noodles and make the hard-boiled egg, in fact you can even skip the egg. The spicy dressing is gochujang-based with fragrant toasted sesame seeds, minced garlic, sesame oil, soy, sugar and gochugaru. The noodles need to be chilled for about 30 minutes and trust me, you will enjoy these refreshingly cool noodles but this is of course coming from a fan of cold noodles. I know that some people are not fond of cold noodles (hello dear sister), but if you have not had cold noodles ever, I think you should give it one try before you dismiss it eh? Who knows, you may discover something new that you totally love.
I am also sending this to Presto Pasta Nights created by Ruth of Once Upon A Feast and hosted by Trish at Slap Happy Kitchen for this week.
Recipe adapted from Book of Japanese and Korean Cooking
Serves 1-2
Ingredients:
1/2 packet of cha soba noodles or use Korean wheat noodles
1 hard-boiled egg, sliced into halves
1/2 Asian pear, cut into strips
1 stalk green onions, sliced
Sauce:
1 garlic clove, minced finely
2 tbsps gochujang
1 tbsp gochugaru (lessen if you want it less spicy)
1 tsp of light soy sauce or to taste
1/2 tsp sugar or to taste
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Method:
Firstly, boil the noodles according to package instructions, or until al-dente. Drain and rinse a few times with cold water. Place noodles in bowl and chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, prepare the sauce by mixing the ingredients listed above together in a bowl. Do a taste test and add more or less of the ingredients above according to your preferences.
To serve, place the noodles into a serving bowl and place the egg on the noodles. Add the pear strips and green onions to the noodles. Sprinkle more toasted sesame seeds on top. Finally, spoon the dressing onto the noodles and mix well right before eating. You can also add some ice cubes onto the plate right before serving.
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21 comments:
ya very hot weather here...not much mood to cook fancy dish. Noodles or porridge is enouhg
Mmm, these would be perfect for lunch on a summer day. It's amazing how satisfying a simple bowl of noodles can be. ;)
Jen.... this looks really really really delicious!!!!! It's 1am and if I'm in college I would be eating some kind of noodles for snack. LOL. I like how you used Cha Soba! It's amazing you can get Cha soba there. I don't know if I can find it in my Japanese/Asian market. This looks so delicious!!!! You are really a noodle expert. I've seen so many delicious noodles on your site!
yeah, too hot tho it still rains luckily!
I know Carolyn, noodles are great! :D
Thanks Nami! Wow, I admire how you can always stay up late yet I bet you wake up early :D You have a lot of energy hehe You can't? Oh yeah there are quite a few Japanese grocery stores in Malaysia hehe I don't remember seeing Cha soba in San Diego either hmmm
Jen, thanks for sharing anohter yummy Korean recipe. I have never tried one before ... I mean the cold noodle. Must try it out one day.
Have a lovely evening.
Kristy
I started my love affairs with Korean food in early 2009, when I first had a Korean buffet in an Atlanta suburb known as Lawrenceville (I think?). I fell in love with it. I like this noodle dish, too! I've made it long ago, but haven't written anything about it yet. It's simple and yet tasty.
I was quite skeptical about cold noodle before, but once I tried it, I found it to be very refreshing. So suitable for warm weather!
I have been looking forward to summer blog posts featuring cold pasta dishes, this looks wonderful!
Jen, thanks for sharing anohter yummy Korean recipe. I have never tried one before ... I mean the cold noodle. Must try it out one day.
Have a lovely evening.
Kristy
ooo JeN! that looks sooo good. Cold dishes are a fav of mine too (maybe not during cold weather) but certainly when I am back in hot sunny sg or KL. I love how you added the egg! and the korean touch is soo chic!
We just had Korean last night and it was a great meal with a hotpot in this cold weather! :)
hope you like Kristy!
Yes definitely simple and tasty :D
yes, it's so hot in KL right now!
Thanks Trish!
Thanks Daphne, hehe I've been known to eat cold stuff in winter, I don't know why lol
yeah, the weather in Malaysia is really hot right now haha but I like cold noodles even in winter
I do admit, it's a challenge living in a city with less access to ethnic foods. I used to live in Toronto, Ontario, a wonderful melting pot of ethnic options. Fortunately, there seems to be an influx of Koreans here lately and so a few Asian grocery stores that carry whatever I might need. Thanks for sharing this one with Presto Pasta Nights.
thanks Ruth! I see, that's why living in SD was good for me though the options were still pretty limited
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