Seongbok family noodle spot: icy soba & tteok skewers, Chilseong

Why we picked Chilseong Jemyeonso in Seongbok-dong

Chilseong Jemyeonso is a noodle restaurant in Seongbok-dong, Suji, whose feed in the local moms' café was full of nothing but praise. On a weekend when the weather has finally turned nice, heading out for good food with the whole family is a small but huge happiness, I think. Our family of four recently went out to eat together for the first time in a while. Everybody happened to have a big appetite and wanted chewy, springy noodles with deep broth. We wanted a proper place near home, searched hard, and found Chilseong Jemyeonso~~

Is there a wait at Chilseong Jemyeonso at 2pm on a weekend?

Yes. We arrived around 2pm on a weekend and there were still customers waiting in front of the shop. I figured it would be quiet if we skipped the lunch rush, so I came a bit after lunchtime on purpose?! But I could see people waiting before we even got to the door, and I was so surprised... Seeing a wait at 2pm, well past peak time, gave me relief that we had picked the right place, and my expectations shot up at the same time.

80 Seongbok 1-ro, Suji-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi, South Korea, Seohui Starhills 1st floor, Unit 104 (956 m from Exit 4 of Seongbok Station)

Chilseong Jemyeonso is on the first floor of the Seohui Starhills building, not far from Exit 4 of Seongbok Station on the Shinbundang Line, so even while waiting I thought how easy it is to get to. It is also convenient by car, so it is perfect for anyone looking for a family gathering spot near the Sinbong-dong restaurant town! The modern look of the exterior stands out from far away, so the waiting time wasn't boring at all.

After waiting a little in front of the shop, we finally got to go inside.

Atmosphere at Chilseong Jemyeonso Suji Main Branch

Inside, big round paper lamps on the ceiling wrap the space in a bright, cozy glow. The warm lighting was striking the moment we walked in, and it reminded me of a classy Japanese restaurant or a stylish café. Even though it was busy, with a long wait and guests constantly coming and going, every table was wiped spotless without a speck of dust or a stain~~ and the tableware and seasoning containers were all neatly arranged, so you could really feel the owner's attention to detail.

With this kind of atmosphere, it would work just as well for taking your parents or for a weekend date.

The menu and what a family of four ordered

You order on a tablet menu, and there are more than 20 dishes, from udon, buckwheat soba and jjolmyeon (chewy wheat noodles) to katsu and mandu (dumplings). The charm of Chilseong Jemyeonso is, above all, the mix of varied noodle dishes and sides that anyone, young or old, can enjoy. The lineup is really solid!! Even a family of four with totally different tastes like ours didn't have to bicker over what to pick. The aroma of the deep, richly simmered broth drifted gently through the shop, and maybe because we were hungry from the wait, my mouth was already watering while we waited for the food.

Respecting everyone's tastes, we ordered Chilseong bibim jjolmyeon (spicy mixed chewy noodles), buckwheat soba, cheese katsu, a kids' udon set, and a special side, tteok-kkochi (rice cake skewer).

How was the icy buckwheat soba?

The buckwheat soba comes with broth floating with ice flakes, and the nutty, subtle buckwheat aroma really came through. When the dishes were served to the table one after another, everyone let out an exclamation at the generous look of it all.

The moment I took a sip of the soba broth, my mouth felt refreshed and reset... Buckwheat soba is the answer when it's hot, of course!

I could see there's a clear reason everyone raves about this Seongbok-dong, Suji spot that still has a line after peak time.

Kids' udon set, good for eating out with children

The kids' udon set comes packed into a cute bowl, and the broth was deep and clear rather than harsh. Thanks to that, our child kept saying how tasty it was and polished off the bowl in no time haha

The kids' set also comes with a morning bun, which is such a thoughtful touch~~

Cheese katsu with Chilseong bibim jjolmyeon

The cheese katsu (breaded pork cutlet) has a really crispy coating, and when you cut it in half the cheese stretches out. The savory, soft natural cheese keeps stretching and stretching, and the kids loved it.

I wrapped a piece of this textbook crispy-outside, juicy-inside katsu around some spicy Chilseong bibim jjolmyeon noodles, and the savory and spicy together were simply perfect.

The Chilseong bibim jjolmyeon comes in a big bowl generously topped with fresh vegetables, and the noodles are so springy and chewy that the bouncy texture in your mouth is a work of art~~

The sauce is sweet and spicy but clean, with no heavy aftertaste, and it clung to the noodles so well that I couldn't put my chopsticks down.

Tteok-kkochi side dish: a taste of childhood

The tteok-kkochi we ordered as a side is crispy, almost fried, on the outside and soft and chewy inside~~ It tasted exactly like what I used to buy in front of my elementary school as a kid. Brushed with a sweet-salty nostalgic sauce, it did a great job as a palate cleanser and was a standout among specialties.

Why we recommend Chilseong Jemyeonso for a weekend family meal

A meal at Chilseong Jemyeonso wasn't just filling up, it felt like being carefully treated~~ Finding a place in the neighborhood that sticks to the basics yet keeps such a distinctive depth of flavor felt like discovering a treasure chest. It was the best choice, and all four of us got up patting our full bellies. hahaha

It's a place where you can enjoy neat, tasty food in a good mood, so I'm already planning to come back with friends soon. If you're ever near Seongbok Station, have a happy, filling meal at Chilseong Jemyeonso~~