Cold noodles might sound like hell on earth for people that have never tried them, but they can be both refreshing and tasty. Where though has the best cold noodles? Well there can be only one answer to that.
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What the cold noodles?
Cold noodles are as they sound noodles that are cold. Depending on where they are sold will affect what they are made from. Often times in China they re made from rice, while in northern Korea they are made from buckwheat.
They ares served mostly at room temperature tend to spicy and may have dipping sauce on the side. They can though as in the case of Korea be served cold, with ice even being added.
Chinese Cold Noodles
Chinese cold noodles are served in special areas, although some such as the Xian variant are available across the country.
Xi’an Cold Noodles – Liang Pi
Better called Shaanxi Cold Noodles they are a standard for Xian and Shaanxi Cuisine. Serves with semi-thick noodles and a mild to strong hot sauce they are particularly eaten in the summer.
Sichuan cold noodles
In fact rather like the Xian cold noodle, with the provinces bordering each other. Differences include the adding of baking soda and paprika.
Another carnet from Sichuan is the Guangyuan cold noodle, which uses rice noodles rather than flour.
Shanghai cold noodles
Shanghai noodles that are steamed and then cooked again to make them very chewy. The principal flavoring that is added is peanut sauce and peanuts, as well as local spice.
Korean Cold noodles
Impossible to talk about cold noodles without mentioned Korea. Most famous here are Pyongyang Cold Noodle of DPR Korea, which will duly get its own article!
Pyongyang Cold Noodles
Known locally and indeed regionally as Naengmyeong they are made from buckwheat and include an egg, scissors to cut the long noodles and are flavored with mustard and vinegar. The most famous Pyongyang dish and a centerpiece of North Korean cuisine.
There are also other regional North Korean variations, such as from Chongjin, but this will indeed get its own article.
This dish is hit and miss in Yanji.
Southern Pyongyang Cold Noodles
Made in northern stye restaurants in the south, but honestly really not all that much cop. For the real McCoy Visit The DPRK.
Jaengban-guksu
A bit of a random dish far more common in the south of the peninsula. Known as a cold noodle “salad” the noodle and indeed the topping can and do change.
Kong-guksu
OK I have not tried this so will not judge too much, but cold noodles served in cold soya milk and with ice added. As you might expect this is a summer dish.
Bibim-guksu
Similar to the above, but with more variants on ingredients and with the flavor set ideally being hot and spicy. Supposedly a favorite accompaniment to Korean BBQ in the south.
Japan Cold Noodles
Hand up I have tried none of these, but they are on my to do list when I visit Japan as part of my tour.
Soba noodles
The most famous cold noodles of Japan. Ironically can also be saved hot. When cold it comes with a spicy dipping sauce. Variants of it include mori soba, zaru soba, and tororo soba.
Sōmen noodles
Known predominately as a ceremonial dish. When this happens cold water comes down a bamboo flute with said noodles. Gotta love Japan.
Cold noodles from Thailand
Only one entrant (that I have never tried). I will though try it and more, as well as others not mentioned that I firmly believe exist in Vietnam!
Khanom Cold Noodles
A traditional Thai noodle that has numerous variants. Can be made of rice noodles but are sometimes replaced by the white ones. Another summer dish, not to hard in Thailand that has numerous different variations.
Nam ngiao is the most famous perhaps and uses vermicelli noodles and is known more as noodle soup. Has relations to Chinese style cold noodles and is found in Myanmar aside from just Northern Thailand.
The Global Cold Noodle search continues