Dongjak-gu spans the southern bank of the Han River, with Noryangjin Fish Market — one of Seoul's largest wholesale and retail seafood markets — as its defining food landmark. Eating fresh sashimi at the market itself, surrounded by tanks of live seafood, is a quintessential Seoul experience available around the clock.
I visited for lunch on Saturday. Perhaps because it was crowded, there were a few mistakes with my order. The kimchi served immediately was delicious, so I had high expectations for the food. This was my first time trying a Pyongyang noodle restaurant. I heard that opinions were quite divided, so I decided to give it a try. Simply put, it is the taste of chewy noodles served in a deep, refreshing meat broth with a mild flavor. As soon as I tasted it, I understood why it is so polarizing. Personally, I really love it. It doesn't feel overly spicy, but you can really taste a lot of umami. The meat topping was also delicious. The mung bean pancake was crispy, and the spicy cold noodles were tasty enough, but I would definitely recommend the cold noodle soup. For reference, since I wasn't sure, I tried adding vinegar or mustard to the noodles afterward like you would with Hamheung cold noodles, but that ruined the deep flavor of the broth, so I do not recommend it. It makes me curious about other Pyongyang cold noodle restaurants. I would definitely visit again.
The Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold noodles) and dumpling set were incredibly delicious. If you're visiting alone like me, I recommend ordering the naengmyeon + two dumplings set. The male owner is very friendly. The broth is light but just the right amount of seasoning, and the noodles are chewy and firm (perfect for those who don't like a chewy texture). The toppings include two small pieces of boiled pork and half an egg. Many people say the portions are small for an adult male, but I don't know if it's because I eat less or because I had two dumplings, but it wasn't lacking at all. The dumplings were soft and filling, not too bloated, and delicious. The white kimchi and pickled radish were also excellent. At other Pyongyang naengmyeon restaurants, the noodles were overcooked and lacked texture, which I didn't like, but here, the pickled radish had a standard texture and a subtle acidity. The naengmyeon usually comes with cucumber, but when I asked the next table to leave it out, they seemed to have it removed. I highly recommend this place to anyone living in Gwanak-gu, especially near Boramae Park. Cold noodles and dumpling set 15,500 won
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