Mazesoba and shabu pho set near Keimyung University: Myeonsikdang

Following Saturday, I went back to the Keimyung University back gate for lunch on Sunday too. People might think I've got honey smeared all over Keimyung Uni or something. This time it was noodles — off to Myeonsikdang, a Keimyung University-area spot known for good food.

Location and interior of Myeonsikdang Keimyung University Branch

Myeonsikdang sits on the second floor of a building above a 7-Eleven on the main road of the Keimyung University back-gate strip. I thought it was a Japanese restaurant, but besides ramen and soba it also serves pho — a hybrid noodle place, hence the name Myeonsikdang ("noodle restaurant").

Walking in, I was surprised by how spacious the interior was. It being lunchtime, there were quite a few people around. Do people go to school on Sundays too?? Everyone looked like college students — I was the oldest one there for sure. There was window-side bar seating too, which looked great for solo dining.

The tables weren't packed too tightly together either, which made the space feel even more open. Clean and uncluttered.

I spotted baby chairs and coat hangers too. There are quite a few pork cutlet dishes on the menu, so it seems like a good spot to bring kids as well.

Self-bar setup

There were two self-bar stations in total, with broth, pickled radish, pickled chili radish, and kimchi.

Ordering the two-person set — what's included?

There were so many menu items that it was hard to choose ㅜㅜ After much deliberation, we went with the two-person set. It comes with two main dishes, one side each, and an ade. Payment was possible right through the table order, and Daegu-ro Pay worked too.

Apparently spice level can be adjusted for the spicy noodle dishes. Since it was a late lunch/early dinner combo, we skipped the spicy options. For group orders, paying per item apparently gets the food out faster — good tip for groups of students coming together.

Pickled radish, pickled chili radish, and broth from the self-bar. The pickled chili radish was a real find — pleasantly spicy and paired well with the food. The flake-loaded broth was so good I kept sipping it like a drink.

How did the mazesoba taste?

The side for the mazesoba was the pork bowl. Noodles plus rice plus more rice ㅋㅋ a proper carb bomb. I gave up on carb-cutting long ago.

The mazesoba's color combination was so nice you eat with your eyes first. I popped the egg yolk and mixed it in evenly.

Once mixed with the yolk, the sauce turned glossy and smooth with a garlicky aroma that practically calls for rice. The meat topping and noodles chewed together really well.

Halfway through, I added more vinegar and the umami went off the charts. The added tang made it feel lighter too.

After finishing the noodles, I mixed rice into the leftover sauce too — you'd feel bad not to. It's like getting two dishes out of one menu item. Mazesoba... it really does have charm.

Green grape ade

The green grape ade. I expected one ade-sized glass but got what looked like a bottle of fruit soju instead. It came in a huge bottle, which surprised me ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Packed with ice too, so it stayed cold the whole time. Sweet and refreshing — better than cola.

Side: spicy mini pork bowl

The side spicy mini pork bowl. I'm a huge fan of rice-bowl dishes in general. The meat was coated in smoky char flavor and so good. No off-smells, just tasty.

Shabu pho + mozzarella cheese cutlet combo

Shabu pho with a mozzarella cheese cutlet side. Seems like an odd pairing, but it actually worked well together.

The red chili garnish seems to be the finishing touch ㅋㅋㅋ the plating has real attention to detail. The food came out fast too, which I appreciated — perfect for someone as impatient as me. Even at the busiest noon hour, with each of us ordering different dishes, the speed suggested the kitchen staff are seriously quick with their hands.

The noodles weren't overcooked either — just right. The meat was tender, and while bean sprouts that are too fresh and crunchy can sometimes give off a slightly fishy note, these had wilted just enough that the broth soaked in nicely and stayed moist. I've been eating a lot of pho lately, and I think I found a great spot. It's light on the stomach and filling, so I end up eating it often.

I mixed in the accompanying hoisin sauce and sriracha and ate it like a mixed noodle dish. The hoisin sauce is salty, so a little goes a long way. The noodle portion is generous, so it's still filling even eaten this way.

The mozzarella cheese cutlet had an incredibly crispy exterior. Packed with cheese, the savoriness was insane. I considered ordering it as a main instead, and honestly that would have been fine too. But the pho was great, so I'm satisfied either way.

Returning trays and plans for next time

After finishing, you return your own dishes to the tray station. I figured they save on labor costs this way and can offer such reasonable prices. Every menu choice was a hit, and we ate until we were stuffed. Next time I think I'll try the ramen or soba. No wonder exercising isn't helping me lose weight lately. Still, happy haha..