Jinju naengmyeon and yukjeon at Song Giwon, a Jinju restaurant

While traveling in Jinju, I was craving some nice, cooool naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles), and it turns out Jinju naengmyeon is famous too, you know? So I visited Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch (송기원진주냉면 본점), known for doing naengmyeon well.

It is a little way from the downtown area. I hopped on a bus and made my way over!

Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch hours and parking

Daily 10:30–20:00 * Break time: 16:00–17:00 Last order: 15:40 / 19:40

There is parking in front of the restaurant, so just use an open spot!

Such a huge building. Did they build it all on the strength of naengmyeon? It looked like only the first floor was being used as the dining area.

Can you see how many people were there..? It seemed to be a place popular not only with tourists but locals too. There is a large round table in the center where diners can sit all the way around, with two- and four-person tables along both sides.

The broth is self-serve~ The seasoning is just right, so definitely have some. It goes so well with cold naengmyeon.

Ordering Jinju naengmyeon and yukjeon

I heard Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon began its history in 1992. In 2007, it entered Samsan Jinju naengmyeon in the Seoul International Food Exhibition and won a bronze prize, which apparently helped make it known nationwide. With such a long history, I expected the noodles to have plenty of depth too—so excited 👀

Sunjo 1800 (₩13,000) Song Giwon 1997 (₩14,000) Yukjeon (₩25,000) Order complete! Oh, and a defining feature of Jinju naengmyeon is the yukjeon (egg-battered pan-fried beef) topping.

Ta-da, ta-da, ta-da—what a generous spread! The kimchi and shredded radish salad that came as the basic side dishes were very tasty too.

Mild Sunjo 1800 mul-naengmyeon

Sunjo 1800 is the most basic mul-naengmyeon (cold noodles in broth), with a mild, non-overpowering flavor. It was similar to the subtle taste of Pyongyang naengmyeon, but not too plain, with wonderful savory depth. One bite with the yukjeon on top was cool and nutty, and I just kept eating! It is not overly strong, so it is a flavor anyone, young or old, can enjoy.

If you want a stronger flavor, add the vinegar and mustard provided at each table. Personally, I preferred its original flavor without either vinegar or mustard!

Song Giwon 1997 mixed naengmyeon and warm yukjeon

Song Giwon 1997 is mixed naengmyeon with a special sauce developed by Song Giwon's head chef and seafood broth. Maybe it feels somewhere between mul-naengmyeon and bibim-naengmyeon (spicy mixed cold noodles)? It had a star on the menu, so I ordered it—and was very happy I did!

Quick, quick, cut it up!! This is a generous serving of yukjeon. It is Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon's trademark: aged domestic Korean beef, coated in egg and pan-fried golden. Unlike the yukjeon served as a topping on the noodles, this comes out warm, so the beef aroma is richer and it feels more tender. Perfect as a side! Its mild flavor would be good for kids too, I think.

I gave the Song Giwon 1997 noodles a good mix. The seasoning is seriously delicious—healthy-tasting but full of savory depth!

Can you imagine how good it is wrapped in yukjeon? There is such a generous amount of yukjeon on the noodles that you are truly full when you finish.

After eating it plain for a while, I added mustard and vinegar too. It became tangier and the flavor got deeper. For Song Giwon 1997 naengmyeon, I vote yes on adding vinegar and mustard!

I wrapped some in fresh kimchi too. (Of course it was delicious.)

Naengmyeon I would recommend for a Jinju trip

I seriously inhaled my meal at Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch! You might think the prices are higher than other naengmyeon places, but once you eat it, not at all!! Just look at the amount of yukjeon on top—it is already great value...!! If someone I know were heading to Jinju, this is somewhere I would absolutely recommend.