Udon set meal with karaage in Insadong, Seoul: Insadong Jemyeonso

I was looking for somewhere to eat around Insadong and Anguk Station and ended up at Insadong Jemyeonso Annyeong Insadong Branch. Insadong is packed with Korean restaurants and traditional food spots, but that day I was craving something a bit lighter yet still filling, so I went for udon (Japanese-style wheat noodle soup). Long story short — the udon was good, but the karaage (Japanese fried chicken) that came with it was even better than expected, and I left really satisfied.

Where is Insadong Jemyeonso? A 230m walk from Anguk Station

As the name suggests, Insadong Jemyeonso Annyeong Insadong Branch is located inside the Annyeong Insadong building.

• 49 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 3rd floor, Unit 303, Annyeong Insadong

It's about 230m from Anguk Station Exit 6, so it's convenient to reach by subway. Since it's inside the Annyeong Insadong building, it's also on the way if you're sightseeing around Insadong. Just head into the building and take the escalator up to the 3rd floor to find it.

The restaurant overall had a clean, tidy atmosphere, which made for a comfortable meal. The tables were spaced well and everything felt well maintained, so the first impression was pleasant.

How to order at the kiosk

At Insadong Jemyeonso Annyeong Insadong Branch, you order through a kiosk.

Alongside udon, there's a range of rice bowls and fried dishes, so it looked good for eating solo or for a group where everyone picks something different.

Besides the steak rice bowl and udon sets, there were plenty of side dishes like shrimp tempura and croquette. I went with the karaage udon set, steak rice bowl, 3-piece handmade shrimp tempura, and croquette. Ordering everything from udon to rice bowl to fried dishes meant I got to try a bunch of different flavors at once. Adding sides to the main dishes made the spread more generous than I expected — a really filling meal.

The udon: springy noodles in a warm broth

First, the udon at Insadong Jemyeonso was more satisfying than I expected. Udon really comes down to the noodles, and these were springy and had just the right chewiness — a nice texture to bite into. They weren't soggy or mushy; the noodles kept their bounce, so I kept going back for more with my chopsticks.

The broth wasn't too intense either, so it paired well with the noodles. On a day when the weather's just starting to cool down, a warm bowl of udon was exactly right. It's not a flashy dish, more of a solid, back-to-basics kind of thing, but that's exactly what made it an easy, comfortable meal.

Karaage that was surprisingly good

And personally, the karaage that came with the karaage udon set was really quite delicious.

I figured it would just be a side to go with the udon, but it was crispy outside, moist inside, and the meat itself was tender. The coating wasn't overly thick or greasy, so it was easy to eat alternating with the udon. A bite of warm udon, then a piece of crispy karaage — the combination worked really well together. If you think udon alone might not be enough, the set with karaage included is worth trying.

Steak rice bowl at Insadong Jemyeonso

The steak rice bowl was satisfying — the meat was much more tender than I expected. It wasn't tough, had a moist texture that went well with the rice, and the sauce paired nicely with the meat, so I enjoyed it right to the last bite. Personally, this was my favorite dish among everything I ordered that day.

Handmade shrimp tempura, 3 pieces

The shrimp tempura came out hot and freshly fried, with a nice crispy texture. The coating wasn't too thick, and inside was a plump shrimp, so it worked well as a side. It's a good dish to order alongside udon or a rice bowl.

Croquette as a side

The croquette was also crispy on the outside and soft and chewy inside, easy to eat without feeling heavy. It's a good side to add and share if the main dish alone feels a bit light. Overall the fried items came out clean and well-made, which was satisfying.

It's a flavor that seemed like it would please just about everyone, from kids to adults. With udon, rice bowls, and fried dishes to choose from, it seems like a solid pick for a family visit or a date.

Worth it when you want udon in Insadong?

Insadong has plenty of famous restaurants, but if you don't feel like you have to eat traditional Korean food, a Japanese-style menu like Insadong Jemyeonso is also a good option. It's especially convenient since it's close to Anguk Station and inside Annyeong Insadong, making it easy to stop by before or after browsing Ssamziegil or Insadong-gil. If you're walking around Insadong and find yourself craving a warm bowl of udon or just an easy, no-fuss meal, it's worth a visit.

Insadong Jemyeonso Annyeong Insadong Branch: address and hours

• 3rd floor, Unit 303, Annyeong Insadong, 49 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• About 230m from Anguk Station Exit 6
• Takeout available
• Group visits accepted