“Naengmyeon” (Myeong-ca Drive)

“Naengmyeon” was a song performed as part of the Olympicdae-ro Singing Contest, which was hosted by Infinite Challenge, a popular entertainment/variety TV program. The song compares the coldness of summertime naengmyeon to a person’s icy demeanor.

So cold

Freeze-my-insides cold

Teeth are cold

Naengmyeon naengmyeon naengmyeon naengmyeon

Naengmyeon is chilled buckwheat noodles served with a cold, mild beef broth (mulnaengmyeon) or mixed in a spicy seasoning (bibimnaengmyeon). Pyeongyang’s version of the former and Hamheung’s version of the latter—both cities in North Korea—are the most well-known. Naengmyeon, which has long been a summertime favorite in Korea and a special treat enjoyed on the hottest of days, remains popular today. A cultural performance held in North Korea in 2018 for peace on the Korean Peninsula resulted in a sudden increase in customers at Pyeongyang naengmyeon restaurants nationwide.

“Chicken” (Rimi and Potato)

Recent media portrayals of Korean-style fried chicken are almost always accompanied by Rimi and Potato’s “Chicken.” It has an especially catchy refrain (“order chicken!”) that highlights the fact that most Koreans order fried chicken for delivery.

I like chicken (order chicken!)

Everybody likes chicken (order chicken!)

Let's eat chicken (order chicken!)

Yangnyeom chicken, fried chicken, chicken chicken (order chicken!) (order chicken!) x2

Half yangnyeom chicken

Half-fried chicken

Fried chicken is not Korean in origin: while it began in the West, the Korean version, especially in combination with beer, has become so prevalent and widely-enjoyed that the word chimaek (literally, “chicken and beer”) is recognized by foodies worldwide. The featuring of chimaek and Korean-style fried chicken in dramas and on YouTube is leading to more people regarding fried chicken as part of the cannon of Korean cuisine.

“Mother’s Soulfood” (Dynamic Duo)

The speaker of Dynamic Duo’s “Mother’s Soulfood” thinks of his mom’s doenjangguk (soybean paste soup) whenever he is exhausted by the trials of a long day at work. The contrast between instant food and restaurant dining with a home-cooked meal accentuates the love that is represented by the latter.

Too much overtime and skipped breakfasts

Endless days fueled by digestives

A little manic, a little claustrophobic—this big house, all alone

Artificial seasoning from instant food—the only thing in my fridge—stays on my tongue

I’m sick of it. What I want now is:

Mom’s doenjangguk

Of the many dishes that are associated with jipbap (“home food”), doenjangguk is the most representative. Korea’s vibrant jang culture has significantly influenced the country’s food: doenjang (soybean paste) is a common example that can be found in virtually any Korean home. It is also used as a symbol of the simple, all-encompassing love that can be provided only by a family.

“Is it ramyeon?” (AKMU)

Ramyeon is a convenient meal that is affordable and sold virtually everywhere. In the song “Is it ramyeon?”, the speaker, having woken up close to lunch time, debates whether to have ramyeon because it requires such little effort to make.

A side of gyeranmari (Korean-style eggroll) with rice: what a nice surprise!

A pot of gold at the end of the rainbow

Every day, I open my cupboard to see what there is. All that’s left is half a bag of

Ramyeon, ramyeon, ramyeon

What’s for lunch today?

Ramyeon, ramyeon, ramyeon

Ramyeon is found in China, Japan, and Korea but developed quite differently in each country. In Korea, ramyeon typically involves cooking noodles in a spicy soup base that can be topped with any of a wide variety of ingredients, such as eggs or scallions. Cup ramyeon is a popular meal alternative. Bokkeum ramyeon (extra-spicy ramyeon) has already become familiar with foreigners through YouTube mukbang videos and “eating challenges” on social media.