Monthly Photos May 2026 : The Refreshing Harmony of Yanji Cold Noodles in an Ice Bowl in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture

Photos taken by ILCAA staff and associates are posted here once a month; most of them are taken during their field research in Asia and Africa. (The copyright belongs to the photographers.)

When visiting Yanji, the capital of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in Jilin Province, China, “Cold Noodles (랭면)” signs are visible throughout the city. While inheriting the traditions of the Korean Peninsula, “Yanji Cold Noodles” have developed uniquely in this region. They feature a chilled broth made from beef bones and whole chicken, paired with highly elastic noodles made from buckwheat flour and starch.

Remarkably, the bowl for the noodles in this photograph is itself made entirely of pure ice. The chilled, sweet-and-sour broth is cooled to the extreme by this ice bowl, instantly making one forget the sweltering heat. Along with beef and boiled eggs, slices of fruit such as apple (or sometimes watermelon) add vibrant color, as a signature element of the Yanji style.

The difference from typical South Korean cold noodles lies in their “intensity.” The dark noodles, which incorporate buckwheat husks, are pressed directly from a machine into boiling water, resulting in a texture so chewy it is difficult to bite through. Furthermore, while South Korean broth is often light and simple, the Yanji style emphasizes a much bolder sweet-and-sour profile. This dish serves as a true “soul food,” symbolizing the identity of the Korean-Chinese (ethnic Koreans in China).

August 17, 2023
Yanji, Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin Province, China
XU, Qin