Pho bar at Dongtan Station, 20-min wait by Olive Young: Mibundang

On hot days like these you'd think I'd crave something cold, but oddly, sometimes a rich, hearty soup is what I want more.

Not long ago, my husband and I were debating dinner and ended up at a pho place near Dongtan Station I'd been curious about for a while: Mibundang Dongtan Station Branch (미분당 동탄역점).

Every time I passed by Dongtan Station it was packed, so I wondered why. After actually going, I could see why so many people come.

How long is the weekday evening wait at Mibundang Dongtan Station Branch?

There was a wait even on a weekday evening, and we got in after about 20 minutes. Thanks to the bench in front of the shop and the Olive Young right next door, the wait didn't feel long.

I like Vietnamese pho and often hunt for good pho spots in Dongtan. This time I wanted a rich-broth style. Mibundang is a well-known brand nationwide and already has a reputation as a go-to pho place near Dongtan Station, so my expectations were high. We went on a weekday evening, and sure enough, there was a wait.

We got in after about 20 minutes. There's a bench in front of the shop so we could wait comfortably, and with an Olive Young (Korean beauty and drugstore chain) right next door, it was a decent way to pass the time. I was happy that the wait didn't feel long.

How do you order at Mibundang Dongtan Station Branch?

You order at a kiosk in front of the shop. You pick your menu and pay first, then go in, so tables turn over quickly. The menu has photos and descriptions, so even first-timers should find it easy.

Here's what we ordered. Just pho felt a little lacking, so we added some sides too.

• Brisket pho
• Brisket-and-flank pho
• Potato-wrapped shrimp
• Buffalo wings
• Cider (lemon-lime soda)

Is Mibundang's kitchen-facing counter good for eating alone?

One of the biggest features of Mibundang, the pho spot near Dongtan Station, is its dodge bar seating.

Instead of regular tables, it's bar seating facing the kitchen. Eating alone feels easy, and it's a good setting to focus on your food.

The whole place felt clean and tidy, and I liked the no-fuss interior. It wasn't noisy, so it's good for a quiet meal too.

How does Mibundang's brisket pho taste?

First up was the brisket pho. It came with generous slices of brisket, and the broth looked rich from the color alone.

One spoonful of broth and it was much deeper and richer than I expected. It wasn't salty or harsh; the flavor of the gently simmered meat broth was lovely.

The brisket wasn't tough but tender, great with the noodles. If you usually like clean-style pho, I think you'll be happy with this.

The favorite: chadol-yangji pho (brisket point and brisket)

Personally, the dish I liked most was the brisket-and-flank pho.

It comes with both brisket and thinly sliced beef flank (chadol), so the meaty flavor felt even richer. The nutty taste of the flank melted naturally into the broth and made it even deeper.

The noodles were nicely chewy and the portion of meat was generous, so it made a filling meal. I understood why so many people recommend Mibundang as the pho place near Dongtan Station.

Sides at Mibundang: potato-wrapped shrimp and buffalo wings

The sides at Mibundang Dongtan Station Branch were satisfying too.

The potato-wrapped shrimp is a plump shrimp wrapped in potato and fried. Crispy outside, moist inside, with a really nice texture. The shrimp was springy too, and I think kids would love it.

The buffalo wings were also better than expected.

They came out golden, crispy outside and moist inside. Eaten with the pho, the meal felt complete with nothing missing.

Who is Mibundang Dongtan Station Branch best for?

If you're looking for good pho near Dongtan Station, Mibundang Dongtan Station Branch is well worth a visit.

I'd especially recommend it to people who like pho with a rich broth, people looking for a good place to eat alone, and people who want a meal in a clean, tidy setting.

Having been, I can see why it keeps getting mentioned as a Dongtan Station pho favorite, and I think I'll be craving it again. If you're looking for pho near Dongtan Station, give it a try :)

Mibundang Dongtan Station Branch: hours, parking and address

• Address: 495 Dongtan-daero, Dongtan-gu, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, Dongtan Station Richian Arcade, 1st floor, Unit 109 (lot-number address: 969-2 Osan-dong)
• Hours: daily 11:00 - 21:00 / break time 15:00 - 17:00 / last order 14:30, 20:30
• Closed: every Tuesday
• Parking: underground parking in the building (1 hour free)