Jinju naengmyeon restaurant, 6 teams and an 11-min wait: Song Giwon

It's seriously hot in Jinju these days! I went to Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch (송기원진주냉면 본점), a Jinju naengmyeon place known for long waits in summer. I'll walk you through how long the weekday wait was without remote Tabling (the queue app), plus parking and visiting tips!

How long is the weekday lunch wait at Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch?

Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch takes remote Tabling sign-ups! I signed up on-site at weekday peak lunch, there were 6 teams ahead of me, and the entry text arrived in 11 minutes.

As usual for a P-type (spontaneous) traveler like me, I didn't know remote Tabling was possible and showed up at weekday peak lunch. I signed up on-site and there were 6 teams ahead~ I was worried because my next stop was tight, but luckily the entry text came after 11 minutes, and a table was assigned 3–4 minutes after that!

I only waited 11 minutes, but this week is full holiday season, so I expect the wait to be much longer. I really, really recommend signing up through remote Tabling before you go!

Best time to visit Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon

Peak time at Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch is 12pm–2pm. I asked the owner? or a staff member, and that's what they said! If you'd like a more relaxed meal, coming after 2pm sounds good (except in peak summer season).

Where do you park?

The parking lot runs in a long line along the front of the restaurant. Turnover is so fast that there was space for us! Even if it's full, put your hazard lights on and wait a moment and a spot opens up, so waiting a bit is worth it.

Is there a waiting area?

There's no separate waiting area, so you wait in the car and go in once you get the KakaoTalk text. Only the one team whose number is called can come inside!

What's the interior of Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch like?

The layout has a big round table in the center with individual tables on both sides. It's a little unusual inside! With kids I thought the round table would be inconvenient, but families with children were all seated at individual tables! Everyone eats separately, yet it felt warm, like a group gathering!

What did we order at Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon?

The most popular item is the Jinju mixed naengmyeon. It was our first visit, so I asked and ordered one Jinju mixed naengmyeon, one Jinju water naengmyeon and one ujeon!

Master Song Giwon, a Korean cuisine grandmaster, is reportedly the longest-standing of the first-generation keepers of the Jinju naengmyeon tradition! They say he has spent 40 years researching and restoring Jinju naengmyeon and carrying it on to this day.

Does the food come out quickly after ordering?

They take your order when your number is called, so the food comes out right away once you sit down, with barely a few minutes' wait. Long waits are hard on kids, so I loved how fast the turnover is!

The brass bowls (yugi) and spoons make it feel even more upscale! Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch is small, but it has a refined atmosphere!

How were the Jinju mixed and water naengmyeon?

The noodles neither break apart nor turn chewy, so the texture was great. Honestly, the reason I never enjoyed naengmyeon was that signature toughness! The broth isn't harsh either, just mild, which makes it perfect for kids!

Topped with Jeju winter radish kimchi, Naju pear and pork sirloin yukjeon, eating it all together gave an even richer flavor!

Is the ujeon (hanwoo yukjeon) a must-order?

Ujeon is the hanwoo yukjeon you have to eat at Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon! Very thin slices of tender hanwoo beef are dipped in egg and pan-fried, and it melts in your mouth! The kids happily finished a whole bowl of rice with the ujeon, it was that soft and tasty!

Verdict: how to prepare for the Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon wait

This review is from a weekday peak lunch in late July. In the full summer holiday season, the wait could be longer than in my experience! But turnover is fast and remote Tabling is available, so if you sign up ahead of time, you should be able to eat comfortably!