Jinju naengmyeon restaurant full at 11am with ujeon: Song Giwon

What is Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch?

Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch is the first Hundred-Year Store for Jinju naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles), located in Sangdae-dong, Jinju, Gyeongnam. It's known for pairing the noodles with ujeon, beef pan-fried in egg batter made from Korean beef.

• First Hundred-Year Store for Jinju naengmyeon
• Ujeon made with Korean beef

If you're heading to Jinju, Jinju naengmyeon is basically a must-do course now, haha 😎 I was especially curious about Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch, known as the very first Hundred-Year Store for the dish, so I went and checked it out myself. It's carried on a long tradition and is famous enough as a Jinju naengmyeon spot that a lot of people build it into their Jinju travel itinerary.

Where Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon is, hours and parking

• 📍Location: 766-10 Sangdae-dong, Jinju, Gyeongnam
• ⏰Hours: 10:30–20:00 / break time 16:00–17:00
• 🅿️Parking: In front of the restaurant / Yeonam Library public parking / Donggwang Church parking

The look and feel of Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon

The exterior of Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch felt clean, closer to a newly built building than an old-school eatery. Right by the entrance was a row of Blue Ribbon stickers.

Since it's such an old, famous restaurant, I expected the building to look a little worn, but it was way cleaner than I imagined 🫢 It actually had this fresh, newly-built vibe, which was a bit of a surprise from the first impression. And true to being a famous spot, before I even stepped through the door I could see the Blue Ribbon stickers lined up, so I could tell right away this place is genuinely loved.

Why Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon was full even at 11am

I'd heard there's usually a wait, so I deliberately went around 11am, and it was already full ..🫢 Luckily one seat opened up right away so I sat straight down. The inside was fairly spacious, with tables for two, four, and group seating all well set up.

Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon menu and prices

Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch's menu has three noodle options: mul naengmyeon (water-based cold noodles) Sunjo 1800, bibim naengmyeon (spicy mixed cold noodles) Nongae 1593, and seokkeum naengmyeon (mixed cold noodles) Song Giwon 1997. Sides include Korean beef ujeon and galbitang (short rib soup).

True to a proper Jinju naengmyeon spot, the menu has three noodle options — mul naengmyeon Sunjo 1800, bibim naengmyeon Nongae 1593, and the seokkeum naengmyeon Song Giwon 1997 developed by head chef Song Giwon — plus sides of Korean beef ujeon, galbitang, and a range of drinks.

Our order at Song Giwon: 55,000 won in total

• Song Giwon 1997 ₩14,000 ×2
• Ujeon ₩25,000
• Zero Coke ₩2,000

I ordered a total of ₩55,000 worth.

Hot broth and side dishes at Song Giwon

At Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch, warm broth is set out at each table so you can drink it while you wait. The side dishes were fresh seasoned greens, pickled radish, and a dipping sauce for the yukjeon (pan-fried beef).

While waiting for the order, I started with the warm broth set out at the table ‼️ I took a sip and the broth was way deeper and richer than expected. It had this warming, soothing effect, so don't skip it — definitely have a cup! The side dishes that came along were fresh seasoned greens, pickled radish, and the dipping sauce for the yukjeon. Every table also had vinegar and mustard set out as standard, and the chopsticks were individually wrapped, so even these small touches felt really thoughtful ❤️

Korean beef ujeon, 25,000 won for three big slices

The ujeon at Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch comes as three generous slices for ₩25,000. It's not pre-cut — you cut it into bite-sized pieces yourself.

I went in only thinking about the naengmyeon, but the sight of the ujeon caught me off guard 🫢 It wasn't just a few small slices of yukjeon on top — a full three big slices of ujeon! And it's not served pre-cut; you cut it into bite-sized pieces yourself, which was a nice little quirk.

Once the ujeon was all cut, the main event — the Song Giwon 1997 naengmyeon — arrived, and its look alone stood out 🤤🤤 It's not just about looks, either; the noodles are a bit special. High-quality Jeju buckwheat is roasted, kneaded with hot water, aged, and hand-made using a practiced technique. Places like this really do have something different from the basics up.

How does the mixed naengmyeon Song Giwon 1997 taste?

Song Giwon 1997 is the mixed naengmyeon developed by the head chef, topped with pork loin and half a boiled egg. The flavor sat right in between mul naengmyeon and bibim naengmyeon.

The Song Giwon 1997 bowl came with a pork loin topping and half an egg — visually it looked like a mix between mul and bibim naengmyeon.

Visually it reads as bibim-style, but tasting it, it really did sit right in the middle. The seasoning coats the noodles richly, but the broth mixed in keeps it from feeling too heavy, and the noodles were unmistakably chewy. Especially since they use Jeju buckwheat, there's this subtle nutty aroma following through 🤤❤️ Eating it together with the pork loin topping adds chewiness, a meaty bite, and nuttiness, making each mouthful pretty layered ‼️

Song Giwon's ujeon is genuinely a dish you have to eat alongside the naengmyeon. Bite into it and you first get the browned crust and savory meaty aroma, and since it's Korean beef, the flavor of the yukjeon itself was pretty distinct too, along with a nice tender bite 💯💯

Eating the ujeon on its own is already good, but pairing a chopstick-full of naengmyeon with ujeon makes it twice as good ❤️❤️ Between the chewy, savory noodles, that nutty yukjeon comes in and pulls the whole flavor together once more ‼️ Ujeon isn't optional here — it's essential.

Oh, by the way, there's also a review event running, where you can get a drink, canned beer, or an extra yukjeon topping — definitely worth joining in 🫶

Verdict on Song Giwon Jinju Naengmyeon Main Branch

I'd only heard it was famous before visiting, but after actually eating there, I understood why it's kept its name as a Jinju naengmyeon spot for so long. From the chewy hand-made noodles using Jeju buckwheat, to the broth simmered with Korean beef and seafood, to the generous ujeon — you could taste the care that went into every single ingredient for one bowl. If you're looking for things to do in Jinju or a good Jinju restaurant while traveling, I'd definitely recommend fitting Jinju naengmyeon in as one meal on your trip.