Jinju noodle restaurant with September-only galbitang: Song Giwon

I ended up making a sudden trip to Jinju, so of course I stopped by Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch, my go-to naengmyeon (cold noodle) spot whenever I'm in the area. The naengmyeon paired with yukjeon made from 1++ Korean beef is really delicious, and the seasonal galbitang menu is available starting in September.

Where is Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch? Hours and parking

Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch is located at 1-2 Modeok-ro 47beon-gil, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, and it's open from 10:30 to 20:00. Break time is 16:00 to 17:00, and last order is at 15:40 and 19:40.

• Visit date: 2026.09.15
• Business hours: 10:30 - 20:00 / Break time: 16:00 - 17:00
• Last order: 15:40, 19:40
• Address: 1-2 Modeok-ro 47beon-gil, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea
• Parking: Available in front of Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch, or nearby Yeonam Library public parking lot

Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch is a place I stop by every time I visit my in-laws in Jinju, so I've honestly lost count of how many times I've been back.

Is there a wait on a weekday? Inside Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon

Since it was a weekday, luckily there was no wait — though Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch tends to get quite busy on weekends. Still, tables turn over fast so seats open up quickly.

The warm atmosphere combined with tidy little details gives it a calmer, more settled feel than I expected.

Even the water bottle and cups are kind of pretty,

and the paper menu is crisp and uncreased too.

What we ordered at Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon and what it cost

We ordered three things: ujeon for 25,000 won, Nongae 1593 for 13,000 won, and Dongilgaae galbitang for 16,000 won. Naengmyeon alone felt like it wouldn't be enough, so we decided to add the yukjeon that pairs so well with Jinju naengmyeon. And since a warm soup dish sounded nice too, we finished off the order with galbitang!

Ordering naengmyeon gets you a warm broth on the side. My husband isn't a fan of the warm broth, so I get to slurp it all up myself — I love drinking the warm broth first whenever I go to a naengmyeon restaurant. One cup of the warm broth settles the stomach nicely before diving into the cold noodles.

Everything we ordered arrived, filling up the whole table. Totally loaded.

The side dishes are also served neatly.

How does the 25,000-won ujeon (Korean beef in egg batter) taste?

Ujeon is made by aging top-grade 1++(9) Korean beef and pan-frying it in domestic buckwheat flour. The savoriness of the egg coating combined with the tender texture of the meat — wow!

There was no toughness or dryness, just a soft bite that was really good eaten on its own. It also goes great alongside Jinju naengmyeon.

How Nongae 1593 differs from regular bibim naengmyeon

Nongae 1593 is a Jinju-style bibim naengmyeon made with a special seafood soy-sauce-based sauce.

Adding baegeumcho (a pickled herb garnish) and mustard sauce makes it even more enjoyable.

It felt quite different from a typical bibim naengmyeon, so the first bite caught me off guard. But the more I ate, the more I got drawn in. Rather than the sweet-and-tangy bibim naengmyeon you might be expecting, this has the deep, distinct flavor unique to Jinju naengmyeon. The savory yukjeon and the umami-rich bibim naengmyeon go really well together — I'd definitely recommend eating them as a combo.

Dongilgaae galbitang, served only from September to March

Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch's Dongilgaae galbitang is a seasonal menu item available from September to March.

For starters, there are two big rib bones in it, and the bowl is large, so the portion is quite substantial.

This is the minced seasoning — according to my husband, you add it into the galbitang.

Even though it's a clear broth, it has a deep flavor, making it satisfying while still feeling light.

I picked apart the meat clinging to the big rib bone and tried that too — the portion of meat was generous, so it was seriously filling. Almost too full to move.

There's glass noodles in it too, so it's fun to fish out different ingredients as you go!

Rice came with it too, so I mixed it into the broth.

Topping it with a piece of kkakdugi (radish kimchi) — wow, that combo really needs no explanation!

Hot broth and side dishes at the self-serve corner

At Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch, the self-serve corner has warm broth and side dishes ready to go, so you can help yourself easily.

The verdict after eating all three at Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon

Trying the ujeon, Nongae 1593, and Dongilgaae galbitang together at Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch, each had its own distinct appeal, making it great for sharing a variety of flavors. My husband and I went just the two of us this time, but the clean, tidy atmosphere makes it a good spot to bring your parents or come with kids too. If you're looking for Jinju naengmyeon in Jinju, Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch comes recommended.