Beat the Heat with Pork & Kimchi Somen

Name: Beat the Heat with Pork & Kimchi Somen
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 3 bundles of somen noodles; 100g sliced pork; 5–6 shiso leaves (thinly sliced); Kimchi (to taste); White sesame seeds & shredded seaweed (to taste); Cooking sake (a splash around the pot); 240ml water; 4 tbsp concentrated mentsuyu (4x strength)

Published: February 17, 2026

Easy RecipesHealthy recipes

Chilled somen noodles topped with tender sliced pork and spicy kimchi create a dish that’s both refreshing and satisfyingly flavorful. Accented with sesame seeds, seaweed, and fresh herbs, every bite is light yet full of depth — perfect even on the hottest days. Clean, savory, and comforting, it’s an easy go-to meal for lunch or a late-night bite, and a summer classic you’ll find yourself craving again and again.

Pork Shabu-Shabu Kimchi Somen is a refreshing yet savory noodle dish that pairs chilled somen with tender slices of pork and a spicy kick of kimchi. The addition of sesame seeds, shredded seaweed, and fresh herbs adds aroma, texture, and depth, keeping every bite interesting until the very end. The spice level is easily adjustable depending on how much kimchi you use, making it suitable for both mild and bold preferences. Quick to prepare but deeply satisfying, it works perfectly as a light lunch, an easy dinner, or even a flavorful companion to a chilled drink. Simple, vibrant, and endlessly customizable, it’s a noodle dish you’ll find yourself returning to again and again.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

3 bundles of somen noodles
100g sliced pork
5–6 shiso leaves (thinly sliced)
Kimchi (to taste)
White sesame seeds & shredded seaweed (to taste)
Cooking sake (a splash around the pot)
240ml water
4 tbsp concentrated mentsuyu (4x strength)

Instructions

1
In a pot, add water and a splash of sake. Bring to a boil. Add 100g of pork, breaking it apart gently. After 10 seconds, turn off the heat and let it sit for 3 minutes. Rinse thoroughly in cold water and chill in ice water.
2
Slice the shiso leaves. Mix 240ml of water with 4 tbsp mentsuyu and chill in the fridge.
3
Cook the somen noodles according to the package. Rinse well in cold water and chill in ice water. Drain and plate the noodles.
4
Pour the chilled sauce over the noodles, and top with pork, kimchi, shiso, sesame seeds, and seaweed. Enjoy!