Pyeongtaek noodle restaurant with galbitang for kids: Seoul Myeonok

The place I go when I'm craving naengmyeon near Pyeongtaek Station

Why I keep returning to Seoul Myeonok near Pyeongtaek Station

Seoul Myeonok is the regular spot I keep returning to whenever I'm craving naengmyeon (cold noodles) near Pyeongtaek Station. This is already my Nth visit.

Running a food blog means I try a huge number of new restaurants.

But there are a few places I keep coming back to whenever the craving hits. Seoul Myeonok, my go-to naengmyeon spot near Pyeongtaek Station, is one of them! This is already my Nth visit :)

True to an old-school restaurant, the exterior has that distinct worn-in vibe, but the interior is kept neat and tidy, so it's fine for a family meal or dining with your parents.

The staff have been friendly on every visit, which is one of the reasons I keep coming back — I always leave in a good mood.

How to walk to Seoul Myeonok from Pyeongtaek Station, and where to park

Seoul Myeonok has been running since 1973 and is now on its third generation, so it's known as one of the older naengmyeon restaurants in Pyeongtaek. I first came here curious about pyongyang naengmyeon, and now it's become a regular haunt whenever I crave cold noodles.

One of the perks is how close it is to Pyeongtaek Station. Just come out of Exit 1 and head left — it's right next to the Pyeongtaek Station police substation, so it's not hard to find.

There's room for about one car in front of the restaurant, and the nearby public parking lot gives you 1.5 hours free, so it's not a big deal even if you drive.

I had no idea such a cute cat lived along the way to the restroom haha.

As usual, I ordered bibim naengmyeon, nokdu jeon (mung bean pancake), and galbitang (beef short rib soup) for the kids to share :)

Seoul Myeonok, a 1973 restaurant now in its third generation

Lots of new restaurants keep popping up near Pyeongtaek Station these days, but old restaurants have their own kind of charm. Seoul Myeonok has held the same spot since 1973 and is now run by the third generation.

Being able to enjoy the same consistent buckwheat noodles and broth over such a long stretch of time is part of Seoul Myeonok's charm.

Seoul Myeonok's bibim naengmyeon: pour in the cold broth

You can't come to Seoul Myeonok without the naengmyeon.

The buckwheat noodles are made in-house, not too chewy but with just the right springiness. They go down smoothly, and the more you chew, the more you catch that mellow, nutty buckwheat flavor.

The harmony between the noodles and the broth is exactly why I keep coming back to this naengmyeon spot near Pyeongtaek Station.

Even with bibim naengmyeon, they serve the broth separately, so you get to slowly savor the clear, mild broth on its own. It grows on you more with every couple of bites compared to the first sip.

The sauce looks red but isn't harshly spicy or salty. And pouring in a little broth makes it even better :)

The finishing touch! The pear really elevates the flavor~! Even people trying pyongyang naengmyeon for the first time should find this one fairly approachable.

Topped with meat garnish, each bite adds savory depth to the clean noodles. Perfect for a day when you're craving a simple, clean bowl of naengmyeon near Pyeongtaek Station.

And halfway through the bibim naengmyeon, taking a sip of the cold broth that comes alongside it... ah, that's exactly why I keep coming back :)

The portions are fairly generous too, so if you're a big eater, ordering the large (gopbaegi) size will fill you up.

Nokdu bindaetteok, the mung bean pancake to order alongside

If you're visiting with a group, I'd also recommend the nokdu bindaetteok (mung bean pancake). The outside is fried crispy with a nice crunch, while the inside has that distinct nutty mung bean flavor.

The cleanness of pyongyang naengmyeon and the nutty savoriness of the bindaetteok pair surprisingly well. A bite of cool noodles, then a piece of warm bindaetteok.

That combo is irresistible haha. Order a bowl of naengmyeon each, put one bindaetteok in the middle, and share — perfect setup.

Galbitang at a cold noodle restaurant: what my child ate

There's a hidden strength at Seoul Myeonok beyond the noodles: the galbitang (beef short rib soup).

I figured a naengmyeon specialist would only be good at naengmyeon, but the galbitang turned out to be pretty impressive too.

It comes with chunky short ribs and plenty of meat still attached, so it looks hearty from the first glance.

The meat pulls off the bone easily, and the broth is clear and deep rather than greasy.

A spoonful of hot broth, some kimchi or kkakdugi (diced radish kimchi) on top, and rice to finish — so satisfying! That's why it works as naengmyeon in summer and galbitang on chillier days.

It's also great when one person in your group wants cold noodles and another wants a warm soup.

We came with the kids, and they slurped away, mixing their rice into the soup twice haha.

Is Seoul Myeonok worth it for a family meal near Pyeongtaek Station?

It's fun to try new restaurants near Pyeongtaek Station, but the places you truly love are the ones you end up returning to. The biggest strength of Seoul Myeonok is being a place I can casually revisit whenever I'm craving naengmyeon.

From pyongyang naengmyeon to bibim naengmyeon, galbitang, and nokdu bindaetteok, you can pick based on your mood, and its closeness to Pyeongtaek Station makes it convenient for lunch or dinner.

I enjoyed the meal again this time, so I'll probably be back the next time I'm craving naengmyeon :) If you're looking for a good restaurant near Pyeongtaek Station and naengmyeon is calling your name, give Seoul Myeonok a try.

Seoul Myeonok hours, parking and address

• Address: 12 Pyeongtaek-ro 57beon-gil, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, right next to Pyeongtaek Station police substation
• Hours: Daily 11:30–20:00 (last order 19:30)
• Break time: Sat–Sun 16:00–17:00
• Parking: 1 spot in front of the restaurant; nearby public lot gives 1.5 hours free