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Spring is here. Even though I haven’t fully felt the season—working from home and dealing with unusually cool weather—I can tell because my appetite has slightly dropped. At lunchtime especially, I find myself craving something bold and flavorful instead of regular rice dishes.
Eating out has gotten expensive these days, and doing it too often isn’t great for the waistline either. So, I often reach for quick meals. Among them, one combo stood out as the best: CJ Bibim Naengmyeon with Pulmuone Flat Dumplings. Add some sliced cucumber, a boiled egg, and crushed seaweed, and you’ve got a perfect harmony.
CJ Bibim Naengmyeon
How to make it:
Boil 800ml of water.
While the water is boiling, separate the noodles (don’t toss them in as a lump).
Cook for about 1 minute while stirring gently.
Rinse thoroughly in cold water and drain well. Rub the noodles until they’re no longer slippery.
Put the noodles in a bowl and mix with the included sauce.
Add the sesame and seaweed toppings. Garnish with a boiled egg, cucumber, or extra seaweed if you like—it makes a big difference!
Pulmuone Flat Dumplings
Flat dumplings are originally a specialty from Daegu. When I was a student teacher in that region, I remember trying them from a food cart nearby and falling in love. Now I can find them in the freezer section of my local store. When I spotted them, I grabbed a pack right away. As I prepared the naengmyeon, I realized how perfectly these dumplings would go with it—and I was right.
How to cook:
No need to defrost. Just cook straight from the freezer.
In a frying pan:
Heat a pan with 3 tbsp of oil.
Fry the dumplings on both sides until golden and crispy (about 5 minutes).
In an air fryer:
Preheat to 180°C for 2 minutes.
Cook the dumplings for 12–13 minutes.
The result is golden, crispy dumplings full of savory flavor. You can go oil-free with the air fryer or enjoy a fried texture in a pan.
The Result?
I’ve tried plenty of packaged meals, but this combo genuinely surprised me. The slightly sweet and refreshing cold noodles paired with savory, crispy dumplings—it’s a match made in heaven. Especially if you’re not a fan of overly spicy food, I highly recommend this combination.
My second favorite lately? “Yukkal”—Bibigo beef soup + Ottogi fresh kalguksu noodles. I’ll introduce that next time!
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