Now for another in Summer Food series, where we introduce you to our favorite meals to eat on those sizzling hot summer days. Producer Meghan McCarty brings us a hot weather specialty from Korea.
We all remember the big Korean hit from last summer. You know, that catchy little tune that shall remain buried deep in the annals of pop culture history never to be mentioned again.
Today, producer Meghan McCarty introduces us to the Korean hit of her summer, naeng-myun. It's a cold noodle dish and it's got a bit more substance than that frothy K-Pop single.
McCarty teamed up with food blogger Angela Kim and headed to Koreatown to seek out the perfect bowl of naeng-myun. On Kim's recommendation, the pair decided on Chosun Galbee, a restaurant known best for its Korean barbecue. Kim says one of their best-kept secrets is their naeng-myun.
"If you want to get a little more advanced there's two types of naeng-myun. There's mul naeng-myun, which literally translates as cold water noodles," said Kim. "Also there's bibim naeng-myun, and that one is a very spicy mixed dish. It's sweet and spicy."
Sometimes the dish can be difficult to eat because it's made with very long noodles, but a server will likely ask you if you want the noodles cut with scissors. Each restaurant may take liberties with the presentation.
"Everyone has their own little way of serving it," said Kim. "Sometimes you'll even see ice floating next to it or some frozen broth just to make it even icier. It's a very simple dish."
A simple, yet delicious noodle dish that cools you down but doesn't fill you up? That is what we call naeng-myun style.
Angela Kim recommends these L.A. restaurants for their naeng-myun: