Global Noodle Journey: Discover Iconic Dishes from Lo Mein to Naengmyeon
Affordable, flavorful, and a traveler's essential, noodles dominate menus worldwide. Chances are, you've enjoyed them recently—hot or cold, sauced or simple, instant or handmade.
Explore eight standout variations of this beloved comfort food, from their origins to must-try spots. Each delivers pure satisfaction to the last slurp.
Lo Mein, China
Know your noodle: Wheat flour (and occasionally egg) noodles
The quintessential Chinese noodle dish, lo mein is widely loved yet sometimes misunderstood. Served hot in a savory soy-based sauce with proteins like meat or seafood and crisp vegetables, it's often linked to Cantonese cuisine—though its ancient roots make origins hard to pinpoint.
In the West, it's commonly confused with crispy chow mein, made from the same noodles. Authentic lo mein stays soft: noodles are tossed in at the end to warm without crisping. Pair with chopsticks or a fork for the full experience.
Naengmyeon, Korea
Know your noodle: Buckwheat noodles
