Pyongyang naengmyeon
(Pyŏngyang naengmyŏn, Pyongyang raengmyŏn, 평양 냉면)
As the name suggests, Pyongyang naengmyeon is a version of a traditional North Korean noodle dish called naengmyeon or raengmyeon that is typical of Pyongyang. It usually consists of a combination of buckwheat noodles, thin strips of cucumbers, Korean pears, vegetable kimchi (often radish kimchi), and thinly sliced beef, chicken, or pork served in a cold, tangy broth (either meat broth, dongchimi broth, or a mixture of both) with ice chunks in it.
This specialty is traditionally enjoyed chilled in a large metal bowl, and it is typically finished with slices of hard-boiled egg and cold beef on top. Typical condiments added to the dish before consumption include spicy mustard, vinegar, and sugar.
In North Korea, it is customary to eat the long buckwheat noodles without cutting them as they are symbolically associated with longevity and good health. This custom isn’t usually practiced in restaurants because it's more convenient to consume the noodles after they've been cut.
In South Korea, the broth for this specialty is made exclusively with beef, while the addition of sugar is not typical.
