Solution: A refreshing bowl of noodles in an icy broth

Waiting to cross the street in the early evening yesterday, it dawned on me that the sun’s rays beating down on me were really hot. It’s spring, and the weather is always capricious at this time of year – cool one day and uncomfortably warm the next. Steaming in jeans and a 3/4 length shirt, it was clear I picked the wrong outfit that morning. So I hid in the shade of a building while I waited for the Queen streetcar to whisk me home. Once I got on, I quickly sidled up to an open window to catch the breeze.

It was way too warm, and my mind turned to things that would put me back into a happy temperate state.

The first thought was getting into a pair of shorts. Quickly trailing that was my second thought – a bowl of Korean cold noodle. Chik Mul Nyaeng Myeon – thin arrowroot noodles sitting in an icy broth, both spicy and sweet. Sided with an egg, a slice of asian pear, and pickled vegetables, it’s a cool and delicious meal on a hot day. But I am happy to eat Mul Nyaeng Myeon any day of the year at place called Cho Sun Ok up in Thornhill. It’s that good.

Obligatory and tasty banchan on the left and an order of mandoo to the right.

There’s the option to supplement your Mul Nyaeng Myeon with some mandoo or kalbi. I tend to go for the mandoo when I’m really hungry, and while it’s pictured fried here, I actually prefer the boiled one. But the cold noodle is the main star of the show. I remember the first time I had this years ago – I almost drank all the broth. Another time, they must have piled on the hot sauce, because it was super spicy. And every time, it has been delicious. In the heat and in the snow, there’s just something about the combination of flavours that I truly enjoy.

And while Cho Sun Ok is known for their cold noodle, they offer some of the usual suspects like pork bone soup, as well as some not so usual suspects. Sundae – a traditional Korean-style sausage – is not too strong in taste with an interesting chew. Makes for a nice supplement to what’s on the table.

With the weather oh-so-warm right now, I think it’s time for another visit!

Random story time: Non-Asians are not frequently seen in this plaza. I only barely blend in until confronted with a whole bunch of Korean dialogue. Once I open my mouth, the game’s up. So the group loitering in the lot the last time I was there caught my notice. Had to do a double-take as I walked to the car to make sure I wasn’t mistaken, but it was indeed Chef Thuet waiting with friends to claim the four-top I’d just vacated. An unexpected sighting that was re-capped by a quick tweet once I was buckled in.

  • Cho Sun Ok 7353 Yonge Street, Thornhill
  • The menu (on flickr)

More of Cho Sun Ok

[flickr-gallery mode=”tag” tags=”chosunok”]