Cold noodles - a specialty of the inter-Korean leaders' banquets - are becoming a hit

Since appearing at the banquet after the inter-Korean summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, cold noodles have become a craze, causing many people and tourists to flock to enjoy them.

Restaurants selling this dish in Seoul are suddenly crowded with customers with long lines waiting for their turn. This makes people more curious about this dish, considered a specialty of North Korea, than ever.

Naengmyeon or cold noodles is a traditional dish of the Korean people. While people here often enjoy cold noodles in the winter, Koreans consider it a favorite dish in the summer to cool down.

As early as the Chosun Dynasty, chefs had thought of creating a refreshing noodle dish to serve at the royal court. According to historical records, Naengmyeon cold noodles first appeared in North Korea (present-day North Korea).

Throughout the course of time and history, cold noodles have made a long journey from North Korea to South Korea. It was a long and reluctant journey, but eventually, Naengmyeon became a unique mark in Korean cuisine, and in South Korea as well.

A bowl of Naengmyeon noodles has not too fussy ingredients. The dish includes long and thin noodles, made from buckwheat flour mixed with potato, sweet potato, and tapioca starch. The longer the noodles, the more they represent longevity. This view is quite similar to the Chinese culture of longevity noodles.

Cold noodles are served in large metal bowls surrounded by ice. The noodles are placed in a broth, with thinly sliced ​​boiled beef or pork and boiled eggs added. People will eat them with julienned raw vegetables, a few slices of pear, mustard or spicy vinegar to add more flavor. This is a very popular dish in both countries.

During the summer, Koreans love Naengmyeon noodles. Partly because it is a soupy noodle dish that is easy to eat, in addition, the ingredients and preparation method make the dish very good for regulating the body on hot days.

The fact that a North Korean delicacy has suddenly become a craze in South Korea these days means that people want to celebrate the success of the summit. At the same time, people also want to enjoy a dish that has become a bridge for culture and cuisine between the two regions.