Hamhung naengmyeon at a 60-year Pyeongtaek restaurant: Seoul Myeonok

What kind of restaurant is Seoul Myeonok in Pyeongtaek?

Seoul Myeonok is a naengmyeon (cold noodle) specialty restaurant in a Wonpyeong-dong alley near Pyeongtaek Station, opened in 1973 and now run by the third generation of the same family. Unlike today's flashy restaurants, it keeps an old-fashioned, quiet feel. The plain but savory broth typical of pyongyang naengmyeon, paired with buckwheat noodles that have great texture, has won steady love not just from locals but from food lovers who travel from far away.

Seoul Myeonok's main features and signature dishes

• Deep, subtle pyongyang naengmyeon: a broth with a strong meaty aroma yet clean and light, paired with noodles that carry a gentle buckwheat scent — satisfying for both first-timers and diehard fans.
• Bibim naengmyeon & Hamhung naengmyeon: the spicy-sweet sauce on the bibim naengmyeon is also very popular, and there's a Hamhung naengmyeon option for those who prefer chewier noodles.
• Light suyuk and mung bean pancake: the pork and beef suyuk served alongside the noodles are soft with no gamy smell, and the crispy-fried mung bean pancake is wonderfully savory.
• Nostalgic atmosphere: the restaurant's worn, time-tested interior gives it the comfortable feeling of an old-school noodle house, evoking old memories.

Tips before you visit Seoul Myeonok

• Location: near the west side of Pyeongtaek Station
• Parking: dedicated parking can be tight due to the alley, so using a public parking lot near Pyeongtaek Station or public transit is recommended
• Recommended combo: clean mul-naengmyeon paired with a savory mung bean pancake or a soft plate of suyuk makes the best combination

According to the restaurant, they insist on a somewhat demanding traditional method to make a cool, clean broth. Apparently their braised beef ribs use premium BBQ-grade ribs from between the 2nd and 5th ribs near the spine. There was also a note saying that, having kept to one spot for so long, they hope to keep improving and become a restaurant that lasts 100 years.

Walking from Pyeongtaek Station to Seoul Myeonok, an old-school noodle house

This time I visited Seoul Myeonok, a well-known spot near Pyeongtaek Station.

Turns out it's a 60-year, third-generation noodle restaurant~ It seemed to have kept its old look exactly as it was~ You know places like this are usually the good ones, right? haha

Waiting, seating and the self-serve warm broth at Seoul Myeonok

When there are a lot of customers, you can wait using Catch Table!

As lunchtime came, more and more customers arrived until there were barely any seats left! Being close to the station really makes it easy to get to!

There are lots of tables in the main hall, and there's also a room in the back with tables, so it's actually quite spacious~

At the self-serve corner there's warm broth you can pour yourself, which was really convenient~

And by the entrance wall there are black disposable aprons and a fire extinguisher mirror~

What we ordered: mul-naengmyeon, bibim-naengmyeon and half-plate suyuk

There are 2-person and 4-person tables~

On the table there's vinegar, mustard, paper cups, napkins, a utensil holder, and a tablet ordering unit~ We ordered by tablet — mul-naengmyeon, bibim-naengmyeon, and a half plate of suyuk!

Wow~!!

Mul-naengmyeon on the left, bibim-naengmyeon on the right!! Can you see the meat toppings are different??

I cut both the broth and mixed noodles and mixed them up a bit~

Hamhung mul-naengmyeon, 11,000 won: a little vinegar and mustard is the key

Here's the Hamhung mul-naengmyeon~ The broth looked really refreshing~

First off, I really loved how the thin egg garnish was sliced on top of the noodles~ So delicate~

And the meat on top of the noodles was really so tender~

On its own it's a bit bland and mild, so adding a little vinegar and mustard makes it taste even better~

Eating it together with kimchi was really delicious~

The pickled radish was so full of savory flavor too~ I think I'll keep craving this all summer~

Hamhung bibim-naengmyeon, 11,000 won: sauce that needs no extra seasoning

This time, the Hamhung bibim-naengmyeon~

It comes with meat that's moist and cut nice and tender~

I mixed it well with the sauce~

It was so tasty that you really don't need to season it further!

It's not spicy at all, and I felt the seasoning was just the right level for me!

Eating it with pickled radish and meat together was so, so good, you know? haha

Slurped up every last strand of noodle!!

Free warm broth and the half plate of suyuk (boiled pork)

The warm broth was really warm, and I loved that so, so much!

The bossam-style pork was made from domestic meat, boiled thoroughly, so it was really light and tender~

The ssamjang (dipping sauce) was really tasty too, haha

No gamy smell at all, really clean flavor! The best!

It was so good I cleaned the whole plate, haha. If you're looking for naengmyeon and suyuk near Pyeongtaek Station, you have to go here~~~^^