Have you ever heard of Baehongdong? The name comes from the first letters of its key ingredients: Bae (pear), Hong-gochu (red chili pepper), and Dongchimi (radish water kimchi). Known for its sweet, spicy, and refreshing sauce, Baehongdong has gained popularity with its signature bibim-myeon (spicy mixed noodles). Now, they’ve introduced a new product: Kkalbibim-myeon, which means spicy mixed noodles using knife-cut style noodles!
What Makes Baehongdong Kkalbibim-myeon Special?
Unlike regular bibim noodles that use thin, round noodles, Kkalbibim-myeon features flat, wide noodles similar to knife-cut kalguksu noodles. These wide noodles hold onto the sauce better, giving you a deeper, richer flavor with every bite.
Another highlight is that these noodles are air-dried (non-fried). Air-dried noodles are considered a bit healthier because they are not deep-fried like typical instant noodles. This also gives the noodles a chewy and bouncy texture that feels fresh and satisfying.
Interestingly, back in 2020, another Korean brand, Nongshim, released a similar product called Kkalbibim-myeon, but they used fried noodles. In contrast, Baehongdong’s version uses air-dried noodles, which makes a noticeable difference in both texture and taste.
Price Comparison
At E-Mart (a popular Korean supermarket), a pack of four costs 4,580 KRW. On Coupang (Korea’s Amazon), it’s available for around 4,400 KRW, which is about 180 KRW cheaper.
How to Cook Baehongdong Kkalbibim-myeon
- Boil the noodles in about 600 ml of water for 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
2. Rinse the noodles well under cold water to cool them down completely. The cooking instructions emphasize draining the noodles thoroughly so that no water is left — this helps the sauce stick perfectly without becoming watery.
3. Add the spicy-sweet Baehongdong sauce and mix evenly with the noodles.
4. Finally, sprinkle the included kimchi-flavored fried topping over the noodles. (Note: This topping is not cooked with the noodles — it is added at the end for a crunchy texture.)
This crispy topping adds a fun surprise with every bite, giving you a little crunch that balances the soft noodles. Although the package says “kimchi-flavored,” the taste is quite mild and not overwhelmingly like kimchi.
Taste Review
Compared to regular bibim noodles, the wider noodles of Kkalbibim-myeon allow more sauce to coat the noodles, enhancing the spicy, sweet, and tangy flavor. It’s not overly sweet or too spicy — the balance is just right. The taste pairs well not only on its own but also as a side dish with grilled meat or barbecue.
If you’re a fan of Korean spicy noodles and want to try something with a bit of a twist, I highly recommend giving Baehongdong Kkalbibim-myeon a try. The combination of chewy flat noodles and refreshing spicy sauce makes it perfect for a quick meal, especially on warm days when you’re craving something cool and flavorful!