K-Food Newsletter

A 30-year Artisan’s Noodle, Grand Noodle
Date
2023-12-19 17:00:21
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With its rich flavor, seasonal nutrition and unique taste, noodles can stand alone as a delicious meal. Grand Noodle is a revolutionary noodle brand that has redefined the essence of noodles, earning recognition from renowned chefs and food experts. Flagship products include Obang (five-color) Noodles, which are versatile for any season, and "Monthly Grand Noodles", which incorporate seasonal ingredients. The latter, which allows you to enjoy the essence of each season, is available for a limited time. For example, Apple Noodles are available in January, Hallabong Noodles in March, Shiitake Mushroom Noodles in April, and Radish Noodles in May. Potato Noodles are available in June, Buckwheat Noodles in July, Grape Noodles in August, and Pepper Noodles in December. Five-color Noodles are made from black rice, rice, sweet pumpkin, chives, and beets, representing the traditional five colors of Korea: yellow, blue, white, red, and black.

 

 

CEO Kim Hyun-kyu initiated a noodle factory named "Farm Food" in Dangjin City in 1987. In 2006, it evolved into "Solhyanggi Noodles" in Geochang-gun, and in 2016, it adopted its current name, "Grand Noodle". In August 2020, it transformed into Grand Noodle Crop., an agricultural corporation. With the commitment to "make noodles that embody taste and nutrition without the need for accompanying side dishes," they underwent numerous trials to ensure that the noodles stand out as a stand-alone delight. Flour, the main ingredient in noodles, lacks nutrients other than carbohydrates. To address this, they incorporated 10% rice flour for proper noodle structure and ground seasonal ingredients into the mix to preserve natural flavor and color. The dough underwent a secret kneading process to bring out the unique properties of the ingredients. CEO Kim personally tasted each ingredient to understand its original properties, referring to this process as "the mouth is the laboratory.”

 


The use of the highest quality flours, processed sea salt and the exclusion of additives characterize their approach. By incorporating only sunlight and seasonal ingredients, they have successfully balanced the flavor and aroma of the flour while enriching the noodles with enhanced nutrition and vibrant colors that capture the essence of all four seasons. During the kneading process, seasonal ingredients, including fruits and vegetables, were introduced to maximize nutritional value. Fruits were turned into jam, radishes were delicately crushed with sesame oil, and sweet potatoes and potatoes were boiled and blended. Their understanding of the physical properties of plants allowed them to capture the colors of seasonal ingredients while minimizing the use of regular water. The result was noodles with vibrant colors, subtle flavors, and no unpleasant odors. Called "Sun Noodles," they are naturally dried by sunlight. The meticulous noodle-making process requires additional effort and takes about three times longer, requiring a full week to complete the product.


 

Grand Noodle's distinctive chewy texture and rich flavor make it a versatile choice for a variety of dishes. They

work well in classics such as bibimguksu (spicy noodles) and kongguksu (noodles in cold soybean soup). Importantly, these noodles remain firm, making them an excellent substitute for traditional pasta. Each type of noodle offers unique cooking characteristics based on its ingredients. Boiling for more than 5 minutes results in a fully cooked noodle with a delightfully savory taste. After cooking, rinsing the noodles in cold water restores their chewiness and reduces saltiness. You can find detailed cooking instructions for each type of noodle on Grand Noodle's Instagram or blog. The entire noodle-making process is also featured on global food channel Eater.

 


In August 2020, the second CEO, Kim Sang-hee, succeeded his father. In the first year under her leadership in 2020, sales amounted to KRW 110 million. The following year, 2021, saw a significant increase in sales, reaching KRW 320 million. They ventured into export for the first time and achieved KRW 11 million in export revenue. Continuing the upward trend, last year's sales rose to KRW 430 million, with exports increasing to approximately KRW 20 million. The number of export destinations also expanded, ranging from the United States to Singapore.

'A 30-year Artisan’s Noodle, Grand Noodle' 저작물은 "공공누리 2유형 출처표시 + 상업적 이용금지" 조건에 따라 이용할 수 있습니다.