Instant naengmyeon kits to enjoy cold noodles at home

Pulmuone's frozen noodle options / Courtesy of Pulmuone

When it's too hot and humid to budge, let alone cook, instant naengmyeon (cold noodles) is a quick, refreshing fix you can enjoy without leaving home.

Korea's naengmyeon meal kit market is no small niche. The market is estimated to be worth around 80 billion won ($58 million), reflecting strong demand for ready-made options that deliver both flavor and ease.

On the shelves of a supermarket near Seoul Station, rows of naengmyeon kits from major food brands were front and center, catching the eyes of sweaty, weary shoppers in search of something cool and quick.

Pulmuone, one of Korea's top food companies, recently expanded its lineup beyond its classic options like Pyongyang naengmyeon, dongchimi (watery kimchi with radish) naengmyeon and Hamhung-style spicy naengmyeon. New on the shelves this summer are hanwoo mul naengmyeon (cold noodles with Korean beef broth), Sokcho-style kodari (half-dried pollack) naengmyeon and a spicy arrowroot noodle version, offering more variety for fans of the dish.

CJ CheilJedang's Bibigo Pyongyang Naengmyeon, left, and Bibigo Hamhung Naengmyeon / Courtesy of CJ CheilJedang

CJ CheilJedang, the market leader in instant naengmyeon, also offers crowd favorites through its Bibigo brand. Its Pyongyang and Hamhung naengmyeon brands are among the most popular choices, with the company claiming restaurant-level quality in both texture and taste.

The Pyongyang version features buckwheat noodles ground with husks for an aromatic bite, served in a broth that blends rich beef stock with light vegetable notes. Thick slices of brisket top it off, making for a bowl that comes surprisingly close to the real deal.

Prefer something with a kick? The Bibigo Hamhung Naengmyeon delivers chewy sweet potato starch noodles tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce made with fruit and vegetables. It, too, comes with tender slices of brisket to round out the dish.

Bags of Doongji Naengmyeon, Nongshim's instant cold noodles, are displayed at a store in Seoul in 2022. Newsis

For something even simpler, Nongshim's Doongji Naengmyeon is a pantry-friendly option that doesn't need to be refrigerated. It's ramyeon (instant noodles) — but cold.

"It's honestly not the same as naengmyeon from a good restaurant," said Kim, a man in his late 20s working a corporate job. "But when I don't feel like doing anything and I'm craving cold noodles, it hits the spot. Some people look down on it, but I'd say it's good enough."

Since its 2008 debut, Doongji Naengmyeon has stayed on top of Korea's room-temperature naengmyeon market, with Nongshim holding a 90 percent share.

Another budget-friendly option is from Choung Soo Food, which offers naengmyeon in two classic styles: mul naengmyeon and bibim naengmyeon. Widely available in Korean supermarkets as well as international retailers like H Mart and Amazon, these shelf-stable kits are convenient to store and manage. While not artisanal, the flavor closely resembles the familiar, standardized naengmyeon often served at Korean barbecue restaurants.

Whether you're after the clean, understated flavors of Pyongyang broth or the spicy-sweet punch of Hamhung-style noodles, there's always a naengmyeon option waiting in the instant aisle — no stove required.