Okay, so today I decided to dive into the world of North Korean cuisine. It’s something I’ve always been curious about, but never really explored. Let’s see how it went!
Getting Started
First things first, I needed some basic information. I started by doing some general online searches to get an idea of the staple foods and common dishes. I found that rice, noodles, vegetables, and meats (when available) are pretty central to their diet.
Finding Recipes
Next up, I tried to find some authentic recipes. This proved a little trickier than I expected! There aren’t a ton of readily available, detailed recipes for North Korean dishes, especially in English. I stumbled upon a few blogs and articles that gave some overviews, and that’s what I used as a starting point.
Naengmyeon Adventure
I decided to try making naengmyeon, the famous cold buckwheat noodles. It seemed like a good representation of North Korean food. I gathered the ingredients I could find – buckwheat noodles, beef broth (I made my own, probably not very authentic!), cucumbers, Asian pear, and some basic seasonings.
- Buckwheat noodles: Check!
- Beef broth: Homemade, fingers crossed!
- Cucumber and pear: Easy peasy.
- Seasonings: Soy sauce, vinegar, mustard, sesame oil… I winged it a bit here.
The Cooking Process
I boiled the noodles, prepared the broth (which involved a lot of simmering), and sliced up the veggies and pear. Then came the assembly. Noodles in a bowl, broth poured over, toppings arranged nicely. It looked…okay. Honestly, the presentation wasn’t my strong suit.
Taste Test Time
The taste? Surprisingly good! The cold noodles were refreshing, and the broth had a nice savory flavor. The pear added a touch of sweetness, which was a pleasant surprise. I’m not sure how close it was to real North Korean naengmyeon, but I enjoyed it. I think there is room to make it perfect.
Final Thoughts
This little culinary experiment was fun! It definitely gave me a glimpse into North Korean cuisine, even if it was just a tiny one. It also made me realize how much I take for granted the variety of ingredients and recipes I have access to. I would like to cook more North Korean food in the future.
