Cheonsu-ro naengmyeon restaurant in Jinju: 1997 bowl at Songgiwon

Songgiwon Jinju Naengmyeon, a cold noodle favorite in Jinju

This is Songgiwon Jinju Naengmyeon, a well-known naengmyeon spot in Jinju.

Opening hours and closing days

Closed every Tuesday Wed–Sun 11:00–21:00 Break time 16:00–17:00 (except holidays and weekends)

Hi, this is Miya. Naengmyeon is one of the first foods I think of when summer comes. I recently went to Jinju and heard there was a famous naengmyeon place there — 'Songgiwon Jinju Naengmyeon.' Apparently it was even featured on the show Jeon Hyun-moo's Plan, so it's quite well known. Let me tell you all about the taste, service, and prices at Songgiwon Jinju Naengmyeon!

Is parking easy at Songgiwon Jinju Naengmyeon?

The Songgiwon Jinju Naengmyeon Direct Store has a large dedicated parking area, and there was even a parking staff member on duty. Parking is always the biggest worry when driving somewhere, right? Luckily this place has a spacious dedicated lot, so even I, a nervous beginner driver, could pull in smoothly on the first try. There was staff to help with parking too! With zero parking stress, I felt light on my feet from the moment I walked in.

What the dining room feels like right at opening

Even though I arrived right at the 11am opening time, there were already customers eating in the dining hall at Songgiwon Jinju Naengmyeon. The moment I opened the door and walked in, the pleasant, fresh air inside instantly put me in a good mood. The tables were spaced generously apart, which was comfortable too. Even before noon, customers kept streaming in. It looks like table reservations are possible, and there can be a wait on weekends, so keep that in mind.

What we ordered: ujeon and the 1997 naengmyeon

Looking at the menu, there are three types of naengmyeon, ujeon, and galbitang (short rib soup).

We ordered ujeon and the 1997 naengmyeon. The moment the golden-brown yukjeon (pan-fried beef) landed on the table, its savory aroma really hit me.

I dipped a piece into the seasoning sauce and took a bite — it wasn't greasy at all, just clean and delicious.

It was truly the perfect match to eat alongside the naengmyeon.

How thick and tender is Songgiwon's ujeon beef pancake?

The ujeon wasn't thin, dry meat — its thick cut gave it a satisfying chew. The egg coating was golden and fluffy, making the outside soft while the inside stayed juicy.

The meat's own juices burst out with every bite, making it a joy to chew. Even after cooling, it didn't turn soggy — it kept its distinctive crispness and savory flavor.

Toppings and noodle texture in the 1997 naengmyeon

The moment I saw the toppings covering the whole bowl of the 1997 naengmyeon, I couldn't help but gasp. Shredded yukjeon was piled on so generously that you couldn't even see the noodles underneath — it looked filling just to look at.

I grabbed a big bunch of noodles with my chopsticks and started slurping. The noodles had a lively, chewy texture that didn't snap apart easily, filling my mouth with pleasure.

The cool, rich broth soaked into every strand of noodle — it was fantastic. A subtle buckwheat aroma spread out more the more I chewed, which was really charming. Eating the soft toppings and noodles together in one bite left a rich, savory taste lingering in my mouth. There was no gamey smell from the meat at all, just pure savoriness, and I couldn't stop reaching for my chopsticks.

What is the warm broth at the self-serve bar like?

At the Songgiwon Jinju Naengmyeon self-bar, piping hot broth is kept in a container so you can pour as much as you want. After eating cold food, I found myself craving something warm, and right then I spotted the self-bar. I poured the warm broth from the container into a cup and brought it back to my seat. Blowing on it as I took a sip, I felt my stomach settle and relax. It had a deep, rich ox-bone flavor, and I ended up drinking two full cups back to back.

That distinctive broth flavor is something you can only get at this Jinju naengmyeon hotspot, Songgiwon Jinju Naengmyeon. It had a noticeably deeper flavor than typical broth. Only the savory umami lingered, heavy and satisfying, so I kept scooping it up with my spoon. It's an addictive flavor — the more I drank, the more I wanted, so I emptied the bowl right down to the bottom.

I love noodle dishes and have been to plenty of places, but this experience really stuck with me. The combination of the unique broth and the generous toppings still crosses my mind days later.

Even after coming home, that cool, deep broth flavor kept floating around in my head. I think I'll naturally think of it every time the weather starts heating up from now on.

Final verdict: who will enjoy Songgiwon Jinju Naengmyeon

This time I introduced Songgiwon Jinju Naengmyeon, a naengmyeon hotspot in Jinju. I'd recommend it whenever you want a cool bowl of naengmyeon on a hot summer day. It's piled high with yukjeon, so it tastes great and the portion is generous enough to fill you up.

If I go back to Jinju again, this is a place I'd definitely want to revisit.