Pyongyang Myeonok: Cold Noodles Worth the Wait ❄️🥢

 Pyongyang Myeonok
207 Jangchungdan-ro, Jangchung-dong, Jung District, Seoul

I wasn’t always a fan of Pyongyang-style naengmyeon, but after plenty of trial and error with different styles, I’ve come to genuinely enjoy its simplicity and depth. Its popularity has only grown, especially after being served during the widely discussed meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 27, 2018. With summer here and temperatures climbing past 27°C, it felt like the perfect time for cold noodles.

A long wait is almost guaranteed. There are no tablets or kiosks to take your number or order — everything is done the old-fashioned way. Don’t expect water to be brought to your table either; it’s self-serve, though you’ll only notice that once you see other customers filling their own cups.

Busy places like this aren’t known for exceptional service, but that’s part of the charm. The naengmyeon and mandu are excellent, and that’s more than enough for me. After a visit here, I usually don’t think about it again for a month or two — until the next craving hits.