Nengmyeon with Beef and Pear

A clear and sharp broth served with ice crystals. The noodles are chewy and firm, contrasting with the crunch of the radish and the sweetness of the pear.

• Prep time: 40 min
• Cook time: 60 min
• Difficulty: Medium
• Calories: 864
• Protein: 36 g
• Carbs: 131 g
• Fat: 19 g

Ingredients

• 500 g Beef heel ( whole for the broth )
• 2 L Mineral water
• 400 g Korean sweet potato noodles
• 1 piece Korean radish ( thinly sliced )
• 1 piece Cucumber ( into matchsticks )
• 1 piece Pear ( peeled and sliced )
• 2 piece Hard-boiled egg ( halved )
• 2 tbsp Korean soy sauce
• 4 tbsp Rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp White sugar
• 1 pinch Gray sea salt
• 400 g Buckwheat noodles (Naengmyeon-myeon) ( dried or fresh )

Instructions

1. Broth preparation

   Submerge the beef in cold mineral water. Bring to a boil, skimming off surface impurities. Simmer over low heat until the meat is tender and can be pierced without resistance. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to obtain a perfectly clear liquid.

2. Seasoning and chilling

   Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar to the warm broth. Adjust seasoning with sea salt. Place in the freezer until small ice crystals form around the edges of the container.

3. Toppings preparation

   Slice the Korean radish and cucumber into thin strips. Peel the pear and cut into regular matchsticks. Thinly slice the cooled beef against the grain.

4. Cooking the noodles

   Cook the buckwheat noodles in boiling water. Once cooked, immediately plunge them into ice water. Rub them vigorously between your hands to remove starch until they are perfectly cold and elastic.

5. Final plating

   Form a nest of noodles in the center of a large bowl. Harmoniously arrange the beef, radish, cucumber, pear, and boiled egg. Pour the chilled broth all around. Serve immediately.

Chef's tips

• The broth must be nearly frozen; that's what gives the dish its character.
• Do not skip rinsing the noodles in ice water; it is the secret to their elasticity.

Storage

The broth keeps for 48 hours in the fridge. Noodles must be eaten immediately after cooking.