3.005
10 (Tue) January 2012
Mul Naeng Myeon
4.0
at Okcheon Goeup Naeng Myeon
-Okcheon, Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea-
solo
Solo Getaway, Day 3 of 3.
- Day 1 (3.003 Grilled Pork Chops)
- Day 2 (3.004 Char Siu Duck in Romaine Wraps)
For reasons that I decline to share here, I needed to get away, on my own, so I loaded the car with gear/food/booze/entertainment and headed for the hills. I’ll be camping out for 3 nights.
Okcheon Goeup Naeng Myeon (옥천 고읍 냉면) is a Korean restaurant. Specializes in Okcheon-style mul naeng myeon.
As briefly mentioned in a prior post (see 1.261 Wanja), Okcheon is a small town renowned for a special kind of mul naeng myeon. Somewhat akin to Pyeongyang style MNM, yet distinctive enough to be in its own class altogether, as described below. Based on my experiences with many MNM restaurants in the area, Okcheon Goeup Naeng Myeon is the best of the bunch.
The MNM, as always, was excellent. The chilled broth, derived from beef/pork stock, was mostly crisp and refreshing, a touch of sweetness, but free of tang. The thick noodles, composed of buckwheat and potato starch, were perfectly chewy without being rubbery. The toppings were minimal as can be, just half of a boiled egg and julienned cucumbers. The dish feels complete. 7,000 won.
Seolmaejae National Recreation Forest, where I’m camped out, is on a small mountain in Okcheon.
After 2 days of cooking for myself (in the snow), I drove down into town (for a bowl of chilled noodles). MNM is said to be a winter item – probably dating back to a time when the broth was left outside to freeze in the natural cold. Afterwards, I drove back and and zipped myself into my tent and cranked the heaters on high and settled in for the night. I was beginning to miss home.
(For more details about the food, see WHAT)
(For more details about the venue, see WHERE IN KOREA)
