Surawon Korean BBQ in Cerritos is a grill restaurant, and the part of its menu that is easy to skip is the buckwheat noodles: two listings under Mains, the same two under Lunch Specials, and two combos that pair noodles with grilled short ribs. The ordering page gives names but no descriptions, which makes the choice between cold and spicy a guess. This guide explains the dish behind the names, compares the listings, and lists what to ask before you order.
What naengmyeon is
Naengmyeon is a cold noodle dish of North Korean origin, originally tied to Pyongyang and Hamhung, according to Wikipedia. The noodles are long and thin, most commonly made from buckwheat, though potato and sweet potato starch are also used. It is typically served in a large metal bowl with cucumber, Korean pear, pickled radish and a boiled egg or cold sliced beef, and diners often add mustard and vinegar at the table.
Noodles were traditionally eaten uncut as a symbol of longevity, and restaurants often offer scissors to cut them.
Mul and bibim: the two styles
There are two main ways to serve it, and the difference is the whole decision.
- Mul naengmyeon is a cold noodle soup in a tangy, iced broth. Wikipedia says the broth is made from beef, chicken or radish-water kimchi, and the Korea Herald describes the Pyongyang style as mild.
- Bibim naengmyeon is tossed with a spicy dressing built mainly on gochujang, Korean red chili paste, with the broth often served on the side. The Korea Herald describes the sauce as sweet and spicy, with vegetables and sesame oil on top.
In short, mul is cool and light and bibim is saucy and spicy.
The buckwheat noodle listings on the Surawon menu
The ordering page lists these buckwheat noodle items:
- Cold Buckwheat Noodles under Mains and again under Lunch Specials.
- Spicy Buckwheat Noodles under Mains and again under Lunch Specials.
- LA Marinated Short Ribs+ Cold Buckwheat Noodles Combo and Marinated Pork Short Ribs + Cold Buckwheat Noodles Combo under Mains.
None of these has a description on the ordering page, and the restaurant’s website does not describe them either. The names suggest a cold dish and a spicy dish, which maps onto the mul and bibim styles above. Whether the cold one arrives in broth, what the toppings are and how hot the spicy one is are questions for the staff.
Cold Buckwheat Noodles: the reference order
Start with Cold Buckwheat Noodles if you are new to the dish. It is the reference listing, because the other noodle items are variations on it. The name points to the classic cold style, but the menu does not say whether it comes in broth or dressed, so ask when you order or call ahead.
Order Cold Buckwheat Noodles if:
- You want a cold dish, whether or not you eat grilled meat that day.
- You are trying naengmyeon for the first time and want the plainest listing.
Menu card — Cold Buckwheat Noodles
Listed under Mains and Lunch Specials on the Surawon ordering page, without a description.
Spicy Buckwheat Noodles: the dressed version
The Spicy Buckwheat Noodles is the one to pick if you want the dressed style. The Korea Herald describes bibim naengmyeon as noodles mixed with a sweet, spicy hot pepper paste, and Wikipedia adds that a bowl of broth is often served on the side. The menu does not state the heat level or whether broth comes with it, so ask.
Order Spicy Buckwheat Noodles if:
- You want bold, saucy flavor rather than a cool broth.
- You like chili heat and are comfortable asking how hot the kitchen makes it.
Menu card — Spicy Buckwheat Noodles
Listed under Mains and Lunch Specials on the Surawon ordering page, without a description.
The two grill-and-noodle combos
Two Mains listings put grilled short ribs and cold noodles in one order: LA Marinated Short Ribs+ Cold Buckwheat Noodles Combo and Marinated Pork Short Ribs + Cold Buckwheat Noodles Combo. The Korea Herald calls naengmyeon a refreshing way to finish off a meal of grilled meat, so these combos follow a familiar pattern.
The listings do not say how much meat or how many noodles come with each combo, so check the item or ask.
Order a combo if:
- You want grilled meat and cold noodles without building the order yourself.
- You are ordering a single meal rather than a table of shared plates.
Menu card — Marinated Pork Short Ribs + Cold Buckwheat Noodles Combo
Listed under Mains on the Surawon ordering page, without a description.
Lunch Specials: noodles and soups
The Lunch Specials category repeats Cold Buckwheat Noodles and Spicy Buckwheat Noodles and adds three other noodle-soup or soup items: Cold Kimchi Noodle Soup, Water Parsley Noodle Soup and Beef Soup with Rice. The website describes the Water Parsley Noodle Soup as a noodle soup built on water parsley, also called minari.
The Cold Kimchi Noodle Soup has no description. If you want a cold noodle soup and are not sure whether the Cold Buckwheat Noodles or the Cold Kimchi Noodle Soup is closer to what you have in mind, ask the staff which is which.
Questions to ask and what to add
A short list to keep in mind when you order or call:
- Does the Cold Buckwheat Noodles come in broth or dressed?
- How hot is the Spicy Buckwheat Noodles, and does broth come on the side?
- What toppings come on each bowl?
- What does a combo include?
For additions, the Side Order category lists Rice, Egg, Tofu and Rice Cake. The website also lists three all-you-can-eat grill tiers, A, B and C, for dine-in. Neither the website nor the menu says what each tier includes, so ask before assuming noodles are part of one.
Hours, location and how to order
Surawon Korean BBQ is at 16448 Norwalk Blvd, Cerritos, CA 90703, phone (562) 802-5959. The ordering page lists ordering hours of 11 AM to 10 PM every day. Call to confirm dine-in hours.
Order through Surawon’s own page rather than a third-party app. The restaurant receives the full order with no app commission.
FAQ
What is naengmyeon?
Naengmyeon is a cold Korean noodle dish of North Korean origin, made with long thin noodles, most commonly buckwheat, according to Wikipedia. It comes as a cold noodle soup (mul) or dressed with a spicy sauce (bibim).
What buckwheat noodle dishes does Surawon list?
The ordering page lists Cold Buckwheat Noodles and Spicy Buckwheat Noodles under Mains and again under Lunch Specials, plus two combos that pair grilled short ribs with Cold Buckwheat Noodles.
Which grill items come in a combo with noodles?
The Mains list LA Marinated Short Ribs+ Cold Buckwheat Noodles Combo and Marinated Pork Short Ribs + Cold Buckwheat Noodles Combo. The listings do not give portion sizes, so ask the staff.
Why are cold noodles eaten with grilled meat?
The Korea Herald describes naengmyeon as a refreshing food to finish off a meal of grilled meat.
Where is Surawon Korean BBQ and when is it open?
It is at 16448 Norwalk Blvd, Cerritos, CA 90703, phone (562) 802-5959. The ordering page lists ordering hours of 11 AM to 10 PM every day. Call to confirm dine-in hours.
Order buckwheat noodles at Surawon
Pick cold or spicy, add rice or a combo if you want grilled meat, and order straight from the restaurant. Ordering direct means Surawon gets the full order with no third-party commission.