“Pyongyang naengmyeon,” a dish of cold noodles, has become one of the “hottest” menu items in South Korea after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he brought the bowl to the historic inter-Korea summit on April 27.

"It was difficult, but we brought Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold noodles) with us. I hope (South Korean) President Moon Jae-in will enjoy it," Kim was quoted saying.

Pyongyang naengmyeon has become “hot” dish in South Korea following the inter-Korean summit on April 27.

South Koreans visiting restaurants that sold North Korea’s signature dish have since had to wait in lines up to an hour. The 542-calorie bowl is said to have numerous health benefits. The recipe is made with long buckwheat noodles, vegetables and meat of pheasants, chicken, and beef.

A 100 gram unit of buckwheat equates to 114 calories, containing 25.7 grams of carbohydrates, 3.54 grams of protein, 0.44 grams of fat, and 38 mg of salt.

Notably, rutin in buckwheat is said to be effective in preventing geriatric diseases by expanding blood vessels and improving immunity and helping blood circulation. Buckwheat is also gluten-free, which can be helpful for people with chronic digestive disorders.

A nutritionist from 365mc, a local hospital specializing in obesity treatment, noted that buckwheat helps people on a diet for several reasons. 365mc runs 16 specialized nutrition counseling centers and networks across the country, including three hospitals in Seoul, Busan and Daejeon.

“Buckwheat helps metabolic processes because of its high vitamin B levels. The food also has a high antioxidant effect thanks to high vitamin E content and can help lower blood glucose levels for those on a diet with abundant dietary fiber,” said Jeon Eun-bok, a nutritionist from 365mc.

She noted that the only cautionary aspect of Pyongyang naengmyeon is that it is a cold dish, meaning it could be unhealthy for people who have sensitive stomachs.

yjc@docdocdoc.co.kr

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