Ansan makguksu restaurant with icy broth and potato pancake: Memilchon

The weather's been really brutal lately, hasn't it? Whenever I take the kids out to their summer break academy runs, I break into a sweat just standing still 💧 It naturally made me crave something cooling!

So this time, to beat the heat, I went with my family to Memilchon Ansan (메밀촌 안산점), a well-known mak-guksu (buckwheat noodle) spot. Maybe because of the heat, there were so, so many people. Let me introduce the place right away ❤️

What kind of place is Memilchon Ansan?

A go-to spot in Idong, Ansan with a 40-year tradition — Memilchon! They say they grind buckwheat in-store with a large millstone for deeply fragrant noodles, boil premium Korean pork suyuk (boiled pork) fresh each day, and serve 100% Gangwon-style potato ongshimi (potato dumplings). Come experience the real flavor of a mak-guksu specialist that's been verified on TV, one that refuses to compromise on convenience! (Parking/takeout available)

Memilchon Ansan opening hours

Wednesday–Monday 11:00–20:30, last order at 20:00. Closed every Tuesday.

Where do you park at Memilchon Ansan?

Memilchon Ansan 🅿️ has parking right in front of the restaurant. That said, it's a bit tight given how many customers visit, so it did make me a little anxious.

Ansan City pauses roadside parking enforcement from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (3 hours). Between 11 AM and 2 PM, you can park comfortably along the main road. They even posted signage explaining this enforcement-pause window and where you can park!

Is there a wait? Inside the restaurant

Wow~ I was surprised the moment I arrived at Memilchon Ansan! Maybe it was the hot weather, but the place was already packed with customers who'd come after hearing about it.

All the tables were full and we almost had to wait, but luckily a table opened up quickly and we got seated 😆

We were seated on the second floor! It was nice and cool inside, and the heat completely melted away 👍🏻

What we ordered at Memilchon Ansan

We ordered a wide variety — mul-mak-guksu, deulgireum-mak-guksu, bibim-mak-guksu, and a golden-brown potato pancake to share 👏🏻

Mul makguksu: buckwheat noodles in icy cold broth

The first to arrive was mul-mak-guksu, and the broth floating with ice crystals was a work of art just to look at!

With sesame seeds, seaweed flakes, egg and crunchy cucumber, it looked so appetizing — and the moment I sipped the cool broth, it felt like my insides just opened right up!

Perilla oil makguksu: nutty and simple

Next up was the deulgireum-mak-guksu I'd been looking forward to! The nutty perilla oil aroma filled the whole table, and it got my mouth watering before I'd even taken a bite.

Mixing it up and taking a bite, the deep perilla oil aroma blended with the clean taste of the buckwheat noodles — an absolute champion of nuttiness! The kids ate it right up too 👏🏻

Bibim makguksu piled with young radish kimchi

And I ordered the bibim-mak-guksu, which came loaded with savory sauce and yeolmu (young radish greens).

Mixing it all up and taking a bite, the crunchy texture and the buckwheat flavor really came alive — it was the kind of taste that instantly perks up your appetite 😆

Potato pancake, the perfect partner for makguksu

Last but not least, potato pancake — the best partner for mak-guksu! It filled the whole plate, crispy on the outside and moist and chewy on the inside — truly a special treat!

Actually, potato pancake tastes best when you tear it apart with chopsticks,

but my kids, used to pizza, cut it into pieces with scissors instead 🤣

If you want to cool off and treat yourself with nutty buckwheat dishes on a hot summer day, I highly recommend visiting Memilchon Ansan ❤️