Lee Bul’s recipe for Pyongyang naengmyeon in the Artist Palate series

Enter a new dimension with Lee Bul's gravity-defying recipe for Pyongyang naengmyeon, as featured in our Artist's Palate series, a monthly homage to our favourite contemporary art

By Harriet Lloyd-Smith

Since emerging in the 1980s, South Korean artist Lee Bul has captivated viewers with futuristic installations and performances that probe patriarchal structures and the relationship between humans and machines. This recipe, a cold noodle dish originating from North Korea, is her favourite for a hot summer day. ‘It’s often associated with longevity and good health,’ says Lee Bul. ‘I find it sculptural, as it’s served in a metal bowl and every ingredient can be discerned. It’s not until they all come together that we really perceive all these rich flavours and centuries of tradition.’