Majju Naengmyeon: Korean Cold Noodles with Savory Mixed Toppings
A Hearty and Flavorful Majju Naengmyeon Recipe
Introducing ‘Majju Naengmyeon,’ a creative fusion combining the word ‘majju’ (meaning ‘to mix’ in Korean) with traditional bibim naengmyeon. To enhance the textural experience often lacking in conventional naengmyeon, we’ve incorporated savory ground meat and crisp cucumbers. The meat is seasoned with a delightful blend of doenjang (soybean paste) and gochujang (red chili paste), creating a universally appealing flavor profile that’s perfect for all ages. Elevate your cold noodle experience with this rich and satisfying dish!
Core Ingredients- 1 packet Nongshim Dungji Naengmyeon (includes noodles, bibim sauce, and dried vegetable packet)
- 70g ground pork
- 1/8 cucumber
- 1/4 onion
- 5g chives (approx. 3 stalks)
- 5g green onion (approx. 2 stalks)
- 2 sheets seasoned seaweed (gim), about 1 palm-sized sheet
- 2g bonito flakes (katsuobushi)
- 1 large egg
Special Meat Seasoning- 1/3 Tbsp gochujang (red chili paste)
- 1/2 Tbsp doenjang (soybean paste)
- 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/3 Tbsp gochujang (red chili paste)
- 1/2 Tbsp doenjang (soybean paste)
- 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s begin by preparing all our fresh ingredients. Gather the Nongshim Dungji Naengmyeon packet, an egg, ground pork, cucumber, onion, green onions, chives, seasoned seaweed (gim), and bonito flakes. Having everything ready will make the cooking process much smoother.
Step 2
First, let’s boil the egg. Place the egg in a small pot and cover it with water. Boil for 6 minutes and 30 seconds to achieve a perfect soft-boiled consistency. (Note: While the photo shows 4 eggs, this is for a larger batch; 1 egg is sufficient for one serving.)
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the toppings for our naengmyeon. Finely julienne the onion and cucumber. Wash and thinly slice the chives and green onions. Cut the seasoned seaweed (gim) into thin strips with scissors.
Step 4
It’s time to season the ground pork! In a bowl, combine the gochujang, doenjang, soy sauce, mirin, sugar, minced garlic, and sesame oil. Mix well until the seasoning is evenly distributed. Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium-high heat and stir-fry the seasoned pork until it’s nicely browned and cooked through, ensuring it doesn’t burn.
Step 5
Look at that! The vibrant toppings for our bibim naengmyeon are all ready. The browned pork and freshly prepped vegetables look incredibly appetizing.
Step 6
Now, let’s cook the noodles. Open the Nongshim Dungji Naengmyeon packet to find the noodles, dried vegetable mix, and the essential bibim sauce. While delicious on its own, we’re about to make it even more special!
Step 7
Bring 800ml of water to a boil in a large pot. Once boiling, add the dried vegetable mix from the packet, followed by the noodles. Cook the noodles for about 3 minutes until they reach a pleasant chewy texture. Immediately drain the noodles and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water to firm them up.
Step 8
With the noodles ready, it’s time to mix in the bibim sauce that came with the naengmyeon packet. Toss the noodles and sauce together until well combined. Feel free to add a little more gochujang or sugar if you prefer a spicier or sweeter taste.
Step 9
Transfer the sauced noodles to a serving bowl. Artfully arrange the cooked ground pork, julienned cucumber, sliced chives, onion, green onion, shredded seaweed, and bonito flakes on top. Make it a feast for the eyes as well as the palate!
Step 10
Finally, for an extra touch of richness, place the soft-boiled egg on top, whole or just the yolk. The runny yolk acts as a natural emulsifier, binding the noodles and toppings together for a creamier, more cohesive bite.
Step 11
And now, the best part – enjoying your Majju Naengmyeon! Use your chopsticks to gently mix the soft-boiled egg, generous toppings, and the bibim naengmyeon together. Using a spoon alongside your chopsticks will make it even easier to savor every delicious mouthful. Enjoy this wonderfully mixed cold noodle dish!
