Myeongdong Kyoja (main store)
Myeong-dong (Seoul) is one of Seoul’s most iconic tourist spots, bustling with both locals and international visitors.
I usually avoid the crowds when going on dates, so I don’t come here often. But if you do find yourself in Myeongdong, there’s one must-visit restaurant: the main branch of Myeongdong Kyoja, proudly listed in the Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Even on weekdays, Myeongdong is packed with people. Among all the shops and restaurants, Myeongdong Kyoja (main store) is a must-visit for both locals and tourists alike.
The main Myeongdong Kyoja location is a four-story building, not very wide, but vertically spacious. There’s also a branch nearby in the same alley, and they’ve recently opened a newer, larger annex not far away.
There’s probably no real difference in taste between the locations, but many people still prefer to dine at the main branch. There’s no parking available at the restaurant, so we parked at a nearby public lot.
The restaurant first opened in 1966 under the name “Myeongdong Kalguksu,” before changing to “Myeongdong Kyoja.”
Since 2017, it’s been consistently recognized by the Michelin Bib Gourmand, a true testament to its popularity.
At Myeongdong Kyoja, there's usually a wait as soon as they open. There’s no sign-up sheet, you simply line up outside. Thanks to the newly opened annex nearby, guests are also sometimes seated there. Even on a weekend, we only had to wait about 20 minutes.
Menu
Myeongdong Kyoja keeps things simple with just four menu items: Bibim guksu (spicy mixed noodles), Kalguksu (Korean noodles), Dumplings, and Kongguksu (cold soybean noodles), which is only available from April to October.
Only the dumplings are available for takeout, and they come with a side of kimchi.
The interior is quite compact, with very little space between tables. While the majority of guests were tourists, there were still plenty of locals dining as well.
Because seating is tight and the place is always busy, solo diners are sometimes asked to share a table with strangers, which actually helps speed up the waiting line.
Mandu (Dumplings) 13,000 won
Because the name is “Myeongdong Kyoja,” I assumed dumplings were their signature dish, but it turns out kalguksu is the real star.
The dumplings come in a set of 10 (you’ll see 9 in my photo because I couldn’t resist trying one early!). They’re bite-sized, but at about 1,000 KRW each, they do feel a bit pricey.
The dumpling skin had a wrinkled look, which was interesting. They weren’t too thick or too thin, just right.
I dipped one in soy sauce and took a bite. The flavor was incredibly satisfying.
As soon as I bit into it, the juicy filling burst out from the skin, such a delightful texture and taste!
Kalguksu (Korean noodles) 10,000 won
Now for the star of the show: Kalguksu.
The bowl is filled generously with broth, even more so than the noodles, and topped with meat, dumpling skins, onions, and zucchini.
I took a sip of the broth first. It was rich and meaty, and the grilled onions added a beautiful depth of flavor.
The noodles themselves weren’t particularly unique, but the broth was so good that I finished the whole bowl in no time.
Bibimguksu 10,000 won
The bibim guksu came tossed in a red sauce and topped with cucumber and zucchini.
The noodles had a greenish tint, which was unique. Though the sauce looked spicy, it was more tangy than hot. There was also a bit of meat garnish on top. Personally, I think this dish is best enjoyed with a side of dumplings, it might feel a bit lacking on its own.
Myeongdong Kyoja, a Michelin-recognized spot that draws a line as soon as it opens, truly lives up to its reputation.
The flavors were bold, which made the dishes even more delicious to me. What really stood out was the rich, savory broth of their kalguksu. Even if I don’t try other menu items next time, I’m certain I’ll order the kalguksu again.
Address : 29 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Phone : +82-0507-1306-5348
Operation Hours : Monday-Sunday : 10:30 - 21:00
Instagram : Check out more photos
Source : https://blog.naver.com/fox418/223859513155
Writer : fox418
Special thanks to fox418
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