<p>Summer in Korea can be intensely hot and humid, making you crave something cold and refreshing. For many, that go-to summer dish is <strong>Naengmyeon (냉면)</strong>, Korean cold noodles. Among the various types of Naengmyeon, Hamheung Naengmyeon and Pyeongyang Naengmyeon are the most well-known. Personally, I'm a bigger fan of Hamheung Naengmyeon.</p>

<p>But today, I ventured out to try a very special and unique type of Naengmyeon: <strong>Hongge Naengmyeon (홍계 냉면)</strong>. Hongge (홍게) refers to red crab, and as a huge crab lover, the idea of crab-infused cold noodles was incredibly intriguing. Imagine my excitement – combining my favorite food, crab, with my preferred style of Naengmyeon, Hamheung!</p>

<h2>Nakcheon Hoegwan: Home of the Patented Hongge Naengmyeon</h2>
<p>My destination was <strong>Nakcheon Hoegwan (낙천 회관)</strong>, a 34-year-old restaurant located in <strong>Sokcho Gyodong (속초 교동)</strong>. This restaurant is famous for being the <strong>only place in Korea with a patented Hongge Naengmyeon</strong>. I had high hopes that this unique dish would become my "life Naengmyeon" – a truly exceptional culinary experience. I was eager to see if the distinctive flavor and aroma of Hongge would shine through in the cold noodles.</p>

<h3>First Impressions: The Hongge Naengmyeon Experience</h3>
<p>The price of Hongge Naengmyeon was 12,000 won, which is on the higher side for Naengmyeon. Along with the Hongge Naengmyeon, I also ordered <strong>Squid Sundae (오징어 순대)</strong>, a local specialty of Sokcho. When the Naengmyeon arrived, I was presented with a bowl and instructions on how to enjoy it. Pouring the broth up to the lower line on the bowl is for Bibim Naengmyeon (spicy mixed noodles), and up to the outer line is for Mul Naengmyeon (cold noodles in broth). The bowl even had marked lines, just like instant ramen containers!</p>

<p>The "Hongge noodles" were topped with a red seasoned mixture, which was supposedly the Hongge. Upon tasting the topping alone, I was quite surprised. To put it simply, it tasted very similar to <strong>seasoned dried shredded squid (Jinmichae - 진미채)</strong>, a common Korean side dish. Despite being labeled "Hongge," I couldn't detect any crab flavor or even a hint of crab aroma. It reminded me of Myeongtae Hoe Muchim (seasoned Pollock). I even double-checked with the staff to make sure I received the Hongge Naengmyeon and not the Myeongtae Hoe Naengmyeon, which was also on the menu. They confirmed it was indeed Hongge Naengmyeon.</p>

<h3>Tasting Bibim and Mul Naengmyeon Styles</h3>
<p>Hoping that the broth and mixed flavors would create a difference, I first tried the <strong>Bibim Naengmyeon</strong> style by adding broth up to the lower line. While the Naengmyeon itself was decent – the noodles were thin, which I appreciate, and it tasted like a standard Bibim Naengmyeon – the crucial Hongge flavor was still missing. It's important to clarify that the Naengmyeon wasn't bad, just not particularly special, and certainly not showcasing any Hongge.</p>

<p>Next, I tried the <strong>Mul Naengmyeon</strong> style by adding broth to the outer line. The broth, surprisingly, tasted like <strong>Pyeongyang Naengmyeon broth</strong> – subtly salty and bland, a typical characteristic of Pyeongyang style. This was unexpected, as Nakcheon Hoegwan is supposed to be a Hamheung Naengmyeon restaurant. I usually enjoy Naengmyeon as it is served, but for the Mul Naengmyeon here, I had to add vinegar, sugar, mustard, and spicy sauce to adjust the taste. And just like with the Bibim Naengmyeon, the Hongge flavor remained elusive.</p>

<h3>Final Verdict: Disappointment in the "Hongge" Aspect</h3>
<p>In conclusion, my experience with the Hongge Naengmyeon at Nakcheon Hoegwan was personally disappointing. My expectation of a distinct Hongge flavor and aroma was not met. However, if you disregard the "Hongge" name, it was a perfectly acceptable and tasty Naengmyeon. The Squid Sundae side dish was more like a Korean pancake (Jeon) in texture and taste, reminiscent of holiday dishes.</p>

<p>If you're looking for a unique Naengmyeon experience primarily focused on the crab flavor, this might not be it. But if you're in Sokcho and want to try a decent bowl of Naengmyeon with a unique backstory, Nakcheon Hoegwan's Hongge Naengmyeon is worth considering. For a true Hongge experience though, I'll stick to eating actual red crab!</p>

<p><strong>Nakcheon Hoegwan (낙천 회관)</strong><br>
Location: <strong>Sokcho Gyodong (속초 교동), South Korea</strong><br>
Rating: <strong>3/5 stars</strong> (for Naengmyeon in general, lower for Hongge expectation)</p>